Holmes Beach police arrested Hugh Townsend, 29, of Martinsville, Ohio, May 27 on a third-degree felony for domestic battery by strangulation.
An officer responded to reports of a physical domestic disturbance and spoke with the complainant, who said Townsend, a roommate with whom she’d previously been in a relationship, choked her during an argument May 24.
She said she begged Townsend to stop choking her and he did, but struck her in the jaw with his fist before leaving.
She said she didn’t call police immediately because she didn’t want Townsend to get in trouble, but she called after he refused to take her to see a doctor.
The officer called Manatee County Emergency Medical Services to the scene to treat swelling on the woman’s jaw.
EMS cleared the woman, who provided a sworn affidavit to the officer.
Two officers then responded to a home where Townsend was staying with relatives.
Townsend told police he never struck the woman “but may have pushed her as he was trying to leave the residence.”
The officers arrested Townsend and transported him to the Manatee County jail, where he was released May 28 after posting $1,500 bond.
If convicted, punishment for a third-degree felony charge includes up to five years in prison, five years of probation and a fine of up to $5,000.
An arraignment will be at 9 a.m. Friday, July 7, at the Manatee County Judicial Center, 1051 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton.