A 22-year-old Ocala man has been arrested on battery and assault charges after he allegedly punched and bit his boyfriend inside a car they were living in and threatened to harm him with scissors.
On Wednesday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy made contact with the male victim who advised that his boyfriend, Azuriah Jamal Daniels, had attacked him inside a Nissan Altima that they lived in, according to the arrest report.
The victim told the deputy that he had gotten into an argument with Daniels early that morning, which led to Daniels throwing the victim’s possessions out of the Nissan. Eventually, the victim stated that his boyfriend convinced him to get back in the vehicle so he could be taken to work.
While in the vehicle, the victim stated that the argument continued, and Daniels allegedly punched the victim “in his face and back of the head” while driving the vehicle. The deputy noted that the victim claimed to have been struck by Daniels several times.
After Daniels stopped the vehicle at a Marathon gas station, he allegedly continued to punch the victim with both hands. During the altercation inside the vehicle, the victim alleged that Daniels crossed the center console and bit him, according to the report.
The deputy noted that the victim had “cuts and scrapes” around his neck that were “freshly bleeding.” A cut was also observed behind the victim’s right ear, and he had another wound under his ear from when Daniels allegedly bit him.
In addition, the report stated that the victim was “actively bleeding from his left eye and left check area,” and his eyebrow was lacerated and swollen.
While being allegedly battered by Daniels, the victim further stated that Daniels “took a pair of scissors and threatened him with them.” He claimed that Daniels threatened to “stab him in his chest” before using the scissors to “(press) down progressively harder and harder” on his shoulder, according to the report.
The altercation ended when Daniels dropped the victim off at a local laundromat.
The deputy made contact with Daniels. After being read his Miranda rights, Daniels initially claimed that at the time of the incident, the victim had “left with another man.” However, he later admitted to the victim entering his vehicle so he could take the victim to work, according to the report.
During the post-Miranda interview, Daniels claimed that he drove the victim directly to the laundromat because it has Wi-Fi. He further denied striking the victim and stated that the incident “never turned physical.”
The report stated that Daniels admitted to keeping a pair of scissors in the vehicle to “cut paper,” though he denied using the scissors to threaten the victim.
Daniels was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. He is being charged with domestic battery and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill.
A court date has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.