An Ocala woman is claiming she was harassed and threatened over saying she wanted plastic surgery and pointing out that her man friend didn’t receive a COVID-19 stimulus check.
The victim said she was on a phone call with her cousin recently when 25-year-old Franklin Dario Mercedes became upset about her conversation. She said once she was off the phone, Mercedes started yelling about money issues and forced her to a bedroom wall while holding her wrist. She also told Marion County sheriff’s deputies that Mercedes threatened to “knock” her head off and placed his fists against her cheeks, the report says.
The victim said she later was at work and Mercedes repeatedly texted her cell phone arguing about money. She said he threatened to “end her” and she was “lucky he spared her this long.” She added that Mercedes had threatened to shoot and kill her and her son and she was in fear for her life because he has a firearm, the report says.
A deputy observed text messages that corroborated the woman’s story but didn’t see any injuries on her. Deputies then spoke with Mercedes, who after being read his rights said he was “very angry” about not receiving a stimulus check and the woman talking about getting plastic surgery. He also admitted to texting the woman and calling her at work about the issues but said he didn’t put his hands on her, according to the report.
Mercedes was placed under arrest and transported to the Marion County Jail, where he was charged with battery and intimidation/sending a threat to kill or injure. He was being held on $3,000 bond and is due in court April 20 at 9 a.m. to answer to the charges, jail records show.