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Friday, March 29, 2024

Man with 2 prior battery convictions punches woman in driveway, smashes items in home

A 29-year-old Belleview man with two prior battery convictions was arrested by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office after he allegedly punched a woman in front of her residence during an argument that turned physical.

On Friday, June 2, an MCSO deputy responded to the residence in reference to a domestic battery incident. Upon arrival, the deputy made contact with the female victim who advised that Frank Giovonni Heffernan had battered her in the driveway, according to the arrest report.

Frank Giovonni Heffernan
Frank Giovonni Heffernan

The victim told the deputy that she was sitting in the driveway/carport area with her roommate when Heffernan arrived at the residence in his vehicle. She stated that Heffernan appeared to be intoxicated, according to the MCSO report.

The victim advised that Heffernan exited his vehicle, and a verbal altercation quickly ensued. During the argument, the victim stated that she attempted to grab the keys to Heffernan’s vehicle in order to move it away from the residence.

When the victim stepped toward the vehicle, she claimed that Heffernan grabbed her from behind with his left arm around her waist. While holding her, Heffernan allegedly struck her on the right side of her face, according to the MCSO report.

The deputy noted in the report that the victim appeared to have a “fresh injury” near her right eye, and there was visible redness and swelling.

After the alleged attack, the victim advised that Heffernan entered the residence, walked past her roommate, and went into the victim’s bedroom. The roommate told the deputy that Heffernan proceeded to smash the victim’s 65-inch television ($1,500 value) and other items that were in the room, according to the MCSO report.

After leaving the victim’s bedroom, the roommate advised that Heffernan grabbed an iPhone belonging to the victim from the kitchen counter, and he “forcefully smashed it” on the kitchen floor before exiting the residence. The MCSO report stated that the iPhone was valued at $300.

Deputies were unable to make contact with Heffernan since he had left the incident location prior to the arrival of law enforcement. A criminal history search of Heffernan revealed that he has prior convictions for battery in 2014 and 2019. Both convictions were in Marion County.

On Monday, June 5, Heffernan was located, arrested, and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $55,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for battery (second or subsequent offense) and criminal mischief with property damage of $1,000 or more.

A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 11, according to jail records.