CRIME BRIEFS: LP Man Accused Of Choking Girlfriend

LP Man Accused Of Choking Girlfriend
SEBRING - A Lake Placid man remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $47,000 bond Thursday, arrested in connection with a felony domestic violence strangulation case.

Donovan Paul Darroh, 28, was charged with felony battery or domestic violence battery by strangulation, domestic violence battery, possession of marijuana and smuggling contraband into a detention facility.

It was about 7:30 p.m. June 12, when sheriff's deputies were contacted and the 26-year-old victim reported she got into an argument with Darroh, the arrest report stated.
She told investigators that Darroh grabbed her around her neck with both hands cutting off her air and causing her to feel light-headed, the report stated.

Darroh then slapped her face, then struck her in the head with his fist, she reportedly told investigators.

When Darroh was searched at the Highlands County Jail, detention deputies found a marijuana cigarette in his back pants pocket along with some loose "shake" marijuana.

Sebring Man Charged With Choking Pregnant Girlfriend
SEBRING - A Sebring man remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bond Thursday, accused of choking his pregnant girlfriend.

Dusty Lamar Chaney, 24, was charged with felony battery or domestic violence battery by strangulation and aggravated domestic violence battery when the suspect should have known the victim was pregnant.

Sheriff's deputies were called to an undisclosed Sebring address Wednesday in reference to a domestic violence dispute.

The victim, age 25, who is two and a half months pregnant, told deputies that she and Chaney have lived together as boyfriend and girlfriend for the past eight months.

She said that at about 8 a.m. Wednesday, they began to argue. During the argument, she reported that Chaney used his right arm from behind and put her in a choke hold. She reported she was able to free herself by biting Chaney on the right forearm.

Chaney reportedly left, then returned and started another argument, she told investigators.

Sebring Man Accused Of Threatening With Machete
SEBRING - A Sebring man remained in Highlands County Jail without bond Thursday after he was charged with threatening a 38-year-old Sebring man with a machete and a large knife.

Billie "Billy" Wilkerson, 48, of 651 Lemon St., was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery and criminal mischief damage less than $200.

The victim told Sebring police officer Sean Bueford that shortly after midnight Wednesday, Wilkerson pushed him as he stood in front of the Olds Grocery Store, at 412 Martin Luther King Blvd., in Sebring.
He thought Wilkerson was playing with him, the report stated, until Wilkerson pointed his finger in his face. At that point the two men began arguing, the reported stated. It soon became physical.

Wilkerson reportedly told the victim he would kill him. The victim said he went home and a short time later, Wilkerson was at his front door tapping on his window calling out his name.

He looked out and reportedly saw Wilkerson there holding a machete and a large kitchen knife. He repeated that he was going to kill him.

The victim said Wilkerson then used the machete to cut down a Guava tree valued at $100 that was in their front yard. He then pushed over the victim's barbecue grill.

That was when the victim called police. Wilkerson reportedly told police that the victim had disrespected him, but would not explain.

He denied owning a machete, but declined to allow police to search, the report stated.