An Ocala woman was arrested on DUI and battery charges after she allegedly fell asleep in a running car outside a local Waffle House and punched a law enforcement officer who attempted to wake her up.
On Tuesday, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy spotted a Kia sedan in the parking lot of the Waffle House located at 4611 SE Maricamp Road in Ocala. The vehicle was running and a woman was observed sleeping in the driver’s seat, according to the arrest report.
The woman was identified as 40-year-old Jesaka Nikole Downs.
The report stated that the deputy attempted to wake up Downs several times. When Downs eventually awoke and opened the driver’s side door, the deputy allegedly observed an open container of Michelob Ultra beer in the cup holder next to her.
The deputy noted that Downs had “several signs of impairment” including glossy red eyes and slurred speech, and the odor of an alcoholic beverage was detected on her breath.
Downs was ordered to exit the vehicle. The deputy then asked her to take part in field sobriety exercises, which she allegedly refused, and she was placed under arrest and transported to Marion County Jail.
While at the jail, Downs “became belligerent” and began removing her clothing, according to the report. Moments later, a detention deputy approached her, and she allegedly struck the deputy in the arm with a closed fist.
In the report, the deputy mentioned that Downs refused to provide a breath sample. She was booked into the jail, where she was being held on a $3,500 bond.
According to jail records, Downs bonded out on Thursday, July 17. She is being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and battery on an officer.
A court date for Downs has not been scheduled yet, according to jail records.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was corrected to clarify that Downs had bonded out at the time of publication.