A 44-year-old Ocala man was arrested after a woman accused him of punching her during an argument over housecleaning.
On Sunday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a local residence in reference to a domestic battery incident. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with James Lenard Whaley, Jr. who advised that he had gotten into an argument with the female victim, according to the MCSO report.
Whaley told the deputy that he just wanted to get his belongings and leave during the argument. He claimed that the victim “got into his face,” and a physical altercation ensued.
During the incident, Whaley claimed that his right thumb sustained an injury. In the MCSO report, the deputy noted that there were no visible injuries on Whaley’s thumb.
The deputy made contact with the victim who advised that the argument was over the house needing to be cleaned. She stated that Whaley then got up and struck her several times, according to the MCSO report.
The victim advised that she tried to get away from Whaley as he was allegedly striking her. She told the deputy that a child at the residence had witnessed the altercation.
The deputy noted in the report that the victim had a red mark on the right side of her face, redness across her upper back, and her right shoulder had redness and a scratch.
Another deputy on scene made contact with the child who recalled hearing an argument between the victim and Whaley. After exiting a bedroom, the child recalled seeing Whaley punching the victim, according to the MCSO report.
A criminal history search of Whaley revealed that he was previously convicted of battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Marion County on July 15, 2005.
Whaley was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $10,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for battery (second or subsequent offense).
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, according to jail records.