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Highlands Today

Man Accused Of Choking Woman On Boat

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By JOE SEELIG

Highlands Today

Published: October 21, 2008

  Edward Jennings

SEBRING - An Okeechobee man remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $20,000 bond today after he was arrested by a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer and charged with domestic violence battery by strangulation.

Edward Vincent Jennings Jr., 36, was booked into jail on the domestic violence and battery charge as well as possession of marijuana, after the fish and wildlife officer responded to a complaint at the Kissimmee River Fishing Resort on Sunday afternoon.

The victim, a 21-year-old woman, was crying and showed obvious signs of trauma to her forehead and under her left eye, the officer noted.

He immediately placed Jennings Jr. into handcuffs for protective custody, he stated in his report.

The victim told the officer that Jennings Jr. went into a rage, threw her down on the bow of the boat and got on top of her. She told the officer Jennings Jr. began to choke her and then punched her in the head three or four times.

After punching her, she told the officer that Jennings Jr. made her get out of the boat onto the shore, where she was picked up by a good Samaritan, the report stated.

The officer noted that he saw signs of trauma on the victim's neck that appeared to be caused by someone's hands, the report stated.

Jennings Jr. reportedly told the officer he hit the victim twice in the face, but denied choking her, the report stated.

The victim's daughters, ages 4 and 6, were also present and the Department of Children and Families was contacted.

Joe Seelig can be reached at (863) 386-5834 or jseelig@highlandstoday.com .

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