A 30-year-old Ocala man was arrested after he allegedly punched a pregnant woman and snatched her cellphone when she attempted to call 911.
On Tuesday, two Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a local residence in reference to a battery incident. Upon arrival, the deputies made contact with a man, identified in the arrest report as Curtis Henry Reed, Jr., who advised that the incident began when the female victim abruptly woke him up in the bedroom.
Reed told the deputies that he “could not remember what [the victim] stated or was doing.” He then advised that he asked the victim to return $600 that he had lent to her, and she began “yelling at him,” according to the MCSO report.
Reed claimed that the victim began to push him into the dresser and swung at him. He then stated that he felt like he was getting “disrespected,” and he admitted that he was aware that the victim is currently pregnant.
One of the deputies noted in the report that Reed did not have any visible injuries. In addition, the deputy noted that Reed’s story “did not make sense,” and it seemed like he was “struggling with what to say.”
The other deputy at the scene made contact with the victim, and she advised that Reed was “talking recklessly” during the incident. She stated that she asked Reed to leave the residence, which he refused, and he began “yelling about money” that was owed to him, according to the MCSO report.
The victim advised that she attempted to ignore Reed, and he allegedly punched her on the left side of her head, striking her ear. The MCSO report stated that an “obvious red mark” was visible on her ear, which was consistent with her statement.
After allegedly being punched, the victim stated that she attempted to call 911 on her cellphone, but Reed snatched it from her. She advised that she then attempted to contact law enforcement on a landline phone, but Reed also grabbed that phone from her. When Reed walked outside the residence, the victim advised that a child in the home was able to call 911, according to the MCSO report.
In the report, one of the deputies noted that Reed had also called 911 shortly after the incident. During that call, Reed told the operator, “I was defending myself,” and then he hung up.
Reed was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held on $10,000 bond. He is facing felony charges for aggravated battery on a pregnant victim and hindering, delaying, or preventing the communication to a law enforcement officer of information relating to the commission or possible commission of an offense.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.