A 70-year-old Weirsdale man was arrested after a female victim accused him of punching and choking her inside the bedroom of a local residence.
On Sunday, May 1, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the residence in reference to a domestic battery incident. Upon arrival, the female victim stated that an argument with Raymond Shawn Gantek had started shortly after she came home.
According to the victim, she went into the bedroom and laid on the bed to try to get away from Gantek. He allegedly followed her, climbed on top of her, and pinned her to the bed.
The victim stated that Gantek punched her in the mouth. When she tried to push him away, she advised that Gantek forcefully put his arm across her neck and yelled, “I will kill you.”
Gantek allegedly began to choke the victim. She stated that as soon as she grabbed his genitals and squeezed hard, he let go of her.
When the victim attempted to run out of the bedroom, she stated that Gantek grabbed her by the back of her hair and punched her several more times on the back of her head. He allegedly attempted to restrain her again, and she told the deputy that she took off her shirt to release his grip.
The victim was able to run out of the bedroom, and she ran to a neighboring house for safety. She mentioned to the deputy that this incident was the first time that she feared Gantek, and she believed at the time that he was going to kill her.
The deputy observed that the victim’s upper lip was swollen, bruised, and bloody on the right side where she had been allegedly punched by Gantek. Her neck had redness on the right side, which the deputy felt was consistent with someone placing an arm there.
The victim’s upper left thigh had what appeared to be carpet burn, and she also indicated that she had pain around her right ear.
Another MCSO deputy responded to the residence and spoke with Gantek. He confirmed that an argument had taken place, though he claimed that he victim had punched him.
Gantek stated that he held the victim by her shoulder and neck area to prevent her from striking him. In a later statement, he told the deputy that the victim punched him in the arm and bit him twice, though the deputy was unable to see any visible injuries or marks that were consistent with that claim.
The MCSO report indicated that Gantek repeatedly denied punching or slapping the victim during the altercation.
Gantek was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $5,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for assault and false imprisonment of an adult, along with a misdemeanor charge for domestic battery.
A court date has been scheduled on Tuesday, May 31, according to jail records.