A 35-year-old Ocala man was arrested last week after he allegedly struck his girlfriend with a cane and sent her multiple threatening text messages.
On Monday, September 18, an Ocala Police Department officer responded to the 2900 block of NW Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in reference to an assault incident that had allegedly occurred five days earlier, according to the arrest report.
Upon arrival, the officer made contact with the female victim who stated that on September 13, her boyfriend – identified as Terry Lee Scott, Jr. – struck her with a cane. The report stated that the alleged incident occurred at the victim’s residence.
According to the victim’s statement, the victim and Scott often argued. On September 13, the victim stated that she had been arguing with Scott when he struck her with a cane while she was getting out of the shower. In the report, the officer noted that the victim had bruises on her right shoulder and left calf.
A few days after the above incident, the victim stated that she was texting Scott when he sent her multiple threatening messages. The officer noted that the following text messages from Scott were observed on the victim’s phone:
- “I promise IMA (expletive) near u for this.”
- “On God IMA beat u to sleep.”
- “Crack ur (expletive) head IMA learn it how to act.”
- “Promise I am.”
- “U one (expletive) IMA (expletive) up good.”
- “Promise u that IMA break ur jawv.”
- “I know in due time gone (expletive) u up.”
The report stated that no written threats were made in return by the victim.
The officer responded to Scott’s residence and made contact with him. After being read his Miranda rights, Scott stated that he had been texting the victim after the alleged incident on September 13. He then made several “spontaneous utterances” that he had “made some strong statements” to the victim via text message, according to the report.
The report stated that Scott ‘s cellphone was viewed, and threatening text messages matching the ones that the victim had shown the officer were observed.
Scott was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail where he is currently being held without bond. He is facing a felony charge for sending electronic threats to do bodily harm and a misdemeanor charge for domestic battery.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 24, according to jail records.