An Ocklawaha man was arrested a day after he allegedly strangled and battered a woman while trying to have sex with her.
John Robert Ankney, 58, was charged Sunday with domestic battery by strangulation and simple domestic battery in connection with the incident, which happened on Saturday night.
Two Marion County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of a physical disturbance and were unable to find either Ankney or the victim. The victim was later contacted at a friend’s house down the road, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The victim showed signs of being highly intoxicated and later admitted she was. She said she and Ankney, who was also intoxicated were lying on the bed arguing. The victim said she felt the only way to alleviate the situation was to have sexual intercourse with Ankney. She said while trying to have sex, Ankney became highly agitated and angry towards her, grabbed her with both hands around her throat and started choking her, the report said.
The victim said she was unable to breathe while being choked. She said she tried to fight back, and both she and Ankney fell onto the floor and he continued to choke her. The victim said she was able to get away and was trying to flee the house when Ankney smacked her with an open hand what she believed was three times. She said at that point she fled to her friend’s house, according to the report.
The deputy observed visible red marks on the victim’s chin, right collarbone region, and the back of her left arm and shoulder region. There also were small drops of what appeared to be blood on the front and back of her dress/nightgown, the report said.
Ankney was located and arrested the next day and taken to the Marion County Jail, where he’s being held on $3,000 bond. He is scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on Dec. 29.