A 31-year-old Ocala man was arrested after he was accused of strangling a female victim and shattering her cellphone’s screen.
On Tuesday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy was on patrol in northwest Ocala when the female victim was observed standing on the side of the road next to her vehicle. The MCSO report indicated that she appeared to be distressed, and the deputy made contact with her.
The victim stated that Michael Nazario Jimenez had battered her at a local residence shortly before the arrival of the deputy. She advised that the incident began with a verbal argument.
According to the victim, Nazario Jimenez became upset and grabbed her by the throat with both hands while she was sitting on a bed. She stated that Nazario Jimenez tightened his fingers around her neck and began strangling her. For a brief period, she advised that she was unable to breathe.
The deputy observed a red mark on both sides of her neck underneath her jawline.
The victim stated that as soon as Nazario Jimenez stopped strangling her, she began to gather her belongings. Nazario Jimenez allegedly threw her onto the ground and continued to grab her while she attempted to find her car keys. When the victim was able to leave the residence, she advised that Nazario Jimenez followed her outside, grabbed her cellphone, and threw it across the street.
The deputy found the victim’s phone in the brush near her vehicle and the phone’s screen was completely shattered. The victim stated that the damage caused to her phone was approximately $150.
The deputy responded to the incident location and located Nazario Jimenez. He advised that he had gotten into a verbal argument with the victim, and it started when he refused to show the victim his cellphone.
Nazario Jimenez claimed that while he was sitting on the bed, the victim punched him in his face. He stated that the punch “busted his lip,” and the deputy observed a small scratch on the inside of his bottom lip. Nazario Jimenez then told the deputy that the victim pinned him against the wall.
After Nazario Jimenez was read his Miranda rights, the deputy asked how the victim had acquired the red marks on her neck. Nazario Jimenez claimed that the victim had caused the marks herself, and he further claimed that the victim had smashed her own cellphone.
Nazario Jimenez stated that when he was pinned against the wall, he shoved the victim away, and he claimed that this was the only time that he touched her during the incident.
The deputy spoke with the victim regarding the injury to Nazario Jimenez’s lip, and she stated that she could have caused the injury when she was attempting to push him away.
The deputy noted in the MCSO report that Nazario Jimenez appeared to be the primary aggressor. Nazario Jimenez was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $10,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for domestic battery by strangulation and criminal mischief (property damage of $200 or less).
A court date has been scheduled on Tuesday, August 30 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.