A 44-year-old Ocala man was arrested after a woman accused him of grabbing her neck and choking her during an argument over money.
On Sunday, June 4, 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 the female victim who advised that she was strangled by Nathan Ferrell Johnson, according to the arrest report.
The victim told the deputy that she had returned home from work shortly before the incident, and Johnson was “heavily intoxicated.” She advised that Johnson became “extremely verbal,” and he allegedly grabbed her by the neck with his hands and began choking her, according to the MCSO report.
During the incident, the victim advised that she was unable to breathe and nearly lost consciousness. The deputy noted in the report that the victim appeared to be “very emotionally upset,” and she had visible red markings around her neck and chest.
The deputy made contact with Johnson. After being read his Miranda rights, Johnson admitted that he had been drinking, and he became upset with the victim due to her “not paying any bills,” according to the MCSO report.
Johnson told the deputy that the victim tried to walk inside the residence, and he attempted to “get her out of the house.” He claimed that he did not strike the victim and was trying to get away from her. He further claimed that the victim had contacted law enforcement because he was getting ready to leave the home without telling her where he was going.
During the post-Miranda interview, the deputy noted that Johnson had watery eyes and a “strong smell of an alcoholic beverage.”
Johnson was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $25,000 bond. He is facing a felony charge for committing domestic battery by strangulation.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 5, according to jail records.