An Ocala man with a prior battery conviction was arrested for allegedly attacking his wife inside their home after she refused to go to Chili’s for dinner.

On Friday, October 3, the female victim contacted the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and advised that her husband, 56-year-old Jerome Shannon Valila, had battered her. The victim advised that Valila “got upset and began to yell” after she told him that she did not want to eat at Chili’s, according to the arrest report.

Valila allegedly began throwing items inside their bedroom. The victim claimed that Valila then grabbed her by the back of her head and struck her multiple times before “grabb(ing) her forcefully by her neck.”

While still holding the victim’s neck, Valila allegedly pushed her against a nearby wall, which restricted her breathing. She stated that she was eventually able to get away from Valila, and she ran into the garage while screaming for help, according to the report.

An MCSO deputy noted in the report that a man heard the victim in the garage and attempted to intervene. However, Valila allegedly pushed the man to the ground before placing him in a “headlock type move.”

The report stated that the female victim had “large blue and red marks” under her neck, along with a “busted lip” and a “busted left ear” that was bleeding. In addition, the victim lost a “large amount” of her hair, which was in a “big pile” on the ground.

The man who intervened during the incident had “large red scrape marks” on his knees, which were “consistent with his statement,” according to the report.

The deputy made contact with Valila. After being read his Miranda rights, Valila refused to discuss the incident.

A criminal history search of Valila revealed that he was previously convicted of battery in Marion County in February of 1995.

Valila was placed under arrest and booked into Marion County Jail at 10:35 p.m. on Friday, October 3. Two days later, he was released after posting bond, and he is facing the following charges: domestic battery by strangulation and battery (second or subsequent offense).

On Tuesday, November 4, Valila is scheduled to appear in court at 9 a.m., according to jail records.