A 53-year-old Ocala man was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after a woman accused him of striking her in the forehead with a plastic child’s toy during an argument.
On Wednesday, an MCSO deputy responded to a local residence in reference to a 911 hang-up call. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the female victim who advised that she had gotten into an argument with Rudy Tena, according to the arrest report.
During the argument, the victim advised that Tena had grabbed his chest, which led her to believe that he was possibly experiencing a medical emergency. The victim told the deputy that this had prompted her to call 911.
The deputy noted in the report that a quarter-sized, elevated contusion was visible on the victim’s forehead. The victim advised that the altercation with Tena had occurred in a bedroom, and it had been verbal and physical.
According to the victim’s statement in the report, the argument was over “issues with their home.” She told the deputy that Tena would often “antagonize” her in an attempt to get her to “strike him.” During this most recent incident, the victim advised that Tena grabbed a plastic toy that was in the room, and he allegedly struck her once on the forehead with it, causing the injury that the deputy had observed.
The victim stated that her child was in the bedroom when the incident occurred.
The deputy made contact with Tena. After being read his Miranda rights, Tena refused to discuss the incident. A criminal history search of Tena revealed that he was convicted of simple battery in Marion County in 1996, according to the MCSO report.
Tena was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $2,000 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, June 13, according to jail records.