A 66-year-old Ocala man was arrested after he allegedly punched and choked a female victim during an argument over an explicit text message that was found on his cellphone.
On Saturday, June 25, several Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a local residence in reference to a domestic battery incident. Upon arrival, one of the deputies made contact with the female victim who stated that Jeffrey Paul Tompkins had struck her multiple times and choked her.
The deputy noted in the MCSO report that the victim had a large abrasion on the corner of her right eye and there was also slight redness on her neck.
The victim told the deputy that Tompkins had been “drinking heavily recently” and he was drunk on the day of the incident. She advised that she was upset that he was drinking, but before she was able to confront him, he entered the guest bedroom and fell asleep.
While Tompkins was sleeping, the victim stated that his cellphone received a text message. The victim picked up the cellphone and observed that the incoming text message contained a picture of a nude woman.
The victim advised that she became upset, and she woke up Tompkins and showed him the text message. This made Tompkins “very angry,” and when he climbed out of bed, he began pushing the victim and punching her in the face.
According to the victim, Tompkins demanded that the cellphone be returned to him, but the victim refused. Tompkins then allegedly threw the victim to the ground, placed both hands around her neck, and began to choke her.
While the victim stated that she did not lose consciousness or become dizzy, she did advise that she had difficulty breathing and could barely speak.
The deputy made contact with Tompkins, and he agreed to discuss the incident. He admitted that he “punched the (expletive) out of her,” though he was unable to recall if he had choked the victim or not.
A criminal history search of Tompkins revealed that he did not have any prior convictions for battery, and he had no active warrants.
Tompkins was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $5,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for domestic battery by strangulation.
A court date has been scheduled on Tuesday, July 26 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.