An Ocala man with several prior convictions for domestic battery was arrested after his pregnant girlfriend accused him of punching her in the head and ribs.
On Wednesday, July 16, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to the area of NE 168th Court in Silver Springs after receiving reports of a physical altercation that had occurred in the street. The pregnant victim advised that her boyfriend, 39-year-old Jason Lee Perciful, had battered her following a “disagreement over her leaving him,” according to the arrest report.
After a brief argument, the victim alleged that Perciful “became upset” and “punched her in the head,” which caused her to fall. Perciful then allegedly punched her in the ribs before attempting to drag her on the ground.
The deputy noted in the report that the victim further claimed in a later interview that Perciful had “very briefly strangled her,” causing her to “lose the ability to breathe.”
The report stated that the victim had a “fresh knot” above her left eyebrow, which was “inflamed and red.” Her clothing was “disheveled” and “covered in sand,” and she had a “red mark” near her left upper rib.
The deputy located Perciful at his residence. After being read his Miranda rights, Perciful claimed that the argument with the victim was “over her drug usage while pregnant.” He denied that the altercation had become physical, and he stated he was unsure how the victim “became bruised up,” according to the report.
Perciful was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on a $2,500 bond. He is being charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant victim.
On Tuesday, August 19, Perciful is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.
A criminal history search of Perciful revealed that he was previously convicted of domestic battery in Marion County in January of 2012, February of 2014, and October of 2017.
Jail records further show that Perciful has been arrested over 20 times in Marion County since 2011.