An argument over shared food led to the arrest of a 24-year-old Marion County man after he allegedly punched and choked his roommate.
On Monday, March 10, Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a local residence in reference to a physical altercation. Upon arrival, they made contact with a man, identified as Austin Tylor Dales, who claimed that he “beat up” his roommate in self-defense, according to the arrest report.
Dales told deputies that the victim/roommate was “going crazy” during the incident, alleging that the victim “attacked him with a knife.”
The deputies next made contact with the victim, who advised that the argument turned physical when Dales “tackled (him) to the ground and began to strike him.” According to the victim’s statement, he was then choked by Dales, which led to him briefly losing consciousness.
A deputy noted in the report that the victim had multiple injuries, including a small cut on his forehead, another small cut on his nose, and red marks on both sides of his neck.
Deputies returned to Dales, and he was read his Miranda rights. He agreed to discuss the incident and claimed that the victim had “grabbed a knife” before “coming at” him, according to the report.
Dales further claimed that he used his feet to “sweep” the victim to the ground, and he then allegedly began “hammer fisting” the victim. The report stated that when Dales was asked about the knife, he initially claimed that the victim reached for it prior to the physical altercation. He then later claimed that the victim was “holding the knife” during the incident.
In the report, the deputy mentioned that the knife was observed on a glass table in the room where the incident occurred. The deputy further noted that this appeared to “conflict with (Dales’) account of where the knife was located,” since the knife “would likely be found on the floor” if the victim had been wielding it when he was thrown to the ground.
In addition, the deputy said in the report that outside of rug burn on both knees, Dales did not have any visible injuries.
Dales was arrested, placed inside an MCSO patrol vehicle, and transported to Marion County Jail. While heading to the jail, Dales allegedly admitted that he “strangled the (expletive) outta dat (expletive) boy,” referring to the victim. He further stated that the victim “came at me with my (expletive) knife” during the incident, according to the report.
Marion County Jail records show that Dales was booked into the facility at around 12:20 a.m. on Tuesday, March 11, and he is currently being held on a $6,000 bond. He is being charged with battery by strangulation and simple battery (touch or strike).
Dales is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 1.