A 43-year-old Ocala man was jailed over the weekend after he allegedly attacked his girlfriend, snatched her cellphone, and threatened her with a knife during an argument that turned physical.
On Saturday, January 27, a Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a local residence in reference to a physical altercation. The arrest report stated that the male suspect, identified as Moses Marcelin, was located walking on S Pine Avenue, and he was detained in handcuffs.
Upon arrival at the incident location, the deputy made contact with the female victim who advised that she had gotten into an argument with her boyfriend, Marcelin. During the verbal altercation, she stated that Marcelin became upset and attacked her, according to the report.
The deputy noted in the report that the victim had a “significant amount of blood” on her face, along with “red marks and scratches” on her neck.
The victim told the deputy that Marcelin “punched her several times” during the altercation, and he allegedly choked her until she became “lightheaded.” She stated that she attempted to call 911, which made Marcelin “more upset,” and he allegedly snatched her phone and “slammed it on the counter in an attempt to break (it),” according to the report.
The victim further advised that Marcelin then grabbed a “black-handled knife” from her kitchen, and he allegedly attempted to stab her. She stated that she grabbed Marcelin’s hand and the knife to prevent him from stabbing her. The deputy noted that the victim had a small cut on her right hand.
The report stated that a short, black-handled kitchen knife was found in one of Marcelin’s pockets, and it matched the description of the knife in the victim’s statement.
After being read his Miranda rights, Marcelin told the deputy that he had scratched the victim’s face “in an attempt to get away from (her)” during the altercation.
Marcelin was arrested and transported to Marion County Jail, where he is currently being held on $65,000 bond. He is being charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill; domestic battery by strangulation; and hindering, delaying, or preventing the communication to a law enforcement officer of information relating to the commission or possible commission of an offense.
A court date has been scheduled at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 27, according to jail records.