A 38-year-old Belleview man with several prior battery convictions was arrested after he was accused of pushing a female victim to the ground and choking her.
On Friday, September 2, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office corporal responded to a local residence in reference to a domestic battery incident. Upon arrival, the reportee who had called 911 advised that Wendell Lee Chastain, Jr. had battered the adult female victim and a minor child.
The corporal made contact with the female victim who initially stated that nothing physical had occurred with Chastain. In the MCSO report, the corporal noted that the victim had scratch marks on her neck.
The corporal next spoke with the juvenile victim who stated that an argument was observed between the victim and Chastain. The juvenile victim claimed that Chastain pushed the adult victim to the ground, climbed on top of her, and began choking her.
When the juvenile victim told Chastain to get off the adult victim, he allegedly let go and walked outside the residence. Chastain then allegedly attempted to re-enter the home, and the juvenile victim told him to leave the adult victim alone.
The juvenile victim told the corporal that Chastain proceeded to push the juvenile victim out of the way, and the juvenile victim grabbed Chastain’s shirt. The juvenile victim told Chastain to stop, which he did, and the alleged incident was over.
The corporal returned to the adult victim, and she stated that a physical altercation with Chastain had occurred. She told the corporal that Chastain had been drinking, and she added that she typically sleeps on the couch whenever he drinks.
The adult victim stated that Chastain became upset when he saw her on the couch, and he began to pack up items to leave the residence. She told the corporal that she confronted Chastain and he allegedly began to push her while she was holding a young child.
After the adult victim handed the young child to a family member who was at the residence, she stated that Chastain pushed her to the ground and began choking her. She advised that she attempted to “fight him off,” but he only let her go when the juvenile victim told him to stop.
While the adult victim was allegedly being choked, she stated that she had difficulty breathing. She also advised that her throat and jaw were sore from the incident.
The MCSO report indicated that the adult victim had scratch marks on both sides of her neck, blood on her left ear where she had been scratched, and there were additional scratch marks on her right wrist.
The corporal made contact with Chastain. He claimed that he had only gotten into a verbal argument with the adult victim, and he stated that he was trying to leave the residence. After being read his Miranda rights, Chastain advised that he did not want to speak with law enforcement.
A criminal history search of Chastain revealed that he has prior convictions for battery, battery of a law enforcement officer, and attempted aggravated battery.
Chastain was arrested, transported to Marion County Jail, and he was later released on $15,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for committing domestic battery by strangulation, battery (second or subsequent offense), and cruelty towards a child.
A court date has been scheduled on Tuesday, October 4 at 9 a.m., according to jail records.