An Ocala man was arrested after an argument with a pregnant family member turned physical.
Jerry Lee Stepp, 56, told a Marion County sheriff’s deputy on May 10 that he and the victim were arguing about living arrangements and her continuing to reside in his home. The relationship between Stepp and the victim was redacted from the sheriff’s office report.
Stepp said at one point he told the victim to leave and she didn’t, so he grabbed her around the waist and tried to physically remove her from the residence. He said the victim started hitting him and once he let go, she grabbed a knife and told him to stay away from her. The deputy observed scratches on Stepp’s face where the victim struck him while trying to get away, the report said.
The victim provided a similar account and confirmed Stepp grabbed her by the waist and was trying to physically force her out of the residence. She had cuts on her right hand that she said were from the rings on her fingers when she was hitting Stepp while trying to break free, according to the report.
Stepp’s wife and juvenile granddaughter both said they saw him grab the victim around the waist. Stepp confirmed he knew the victim is pregnant, the report said.
Stepp was charged with aggravated battery of a pregnant victim and taken to the Marion County Jail, where he was released May 11 on $1,000 bond. He’s due to appear in Marion County Court on June 9.