Man Arrested On Aggravated Battery Charge

A Sebring man remained in jail Wednesday on a $6,000 bond after his arrest for allegedly striking a pregnant woman.

Roger Allen Clements, 38, of Sebring, was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with second-degree aggravated battery, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Avon Park Police officers were dispatched to the intersection of Cornell Street and State Road 17 after receiving reports of a male subject hitting a female as they drove into the city limits. A passerby said the vehicle was pulled off the road at the intersection.

Officers said they saw the female holding a white towel to her lip while approaching the vehicle. Clements was heard saying, "Great, look what you did. Now I am going to go to jail," according to the arrest report.

The suspect said he and the victim had a verbal argument only and they stopped to try and find a ring she had thrown out the window.

A search of the vehicle was granted and officers reportedly found a white towel with wet blood on it, which was believed to be the same towel the victim held to her lip.

The victim told police Clements slapped her and that was how she got the cut on her lip. She also reportedly said she was three months pregnant.

Once the victim was given a copy of the Victim's Rights and Remedies packet, she reportedly became uncooperative and said Clements did not hit her.

Police allegedly also found two hand-rolled cigarettes containing marijuana and a small digital scale in the vehicle.

APPD Officer Adam Willis was the arresting officer.