Lake County man charged in attack on former girlfriend

A 42-year-old Lake County man is behind bars facing charges alleging he punched, kicked, choked and threatened to kill a former girlfriend Sunday night.

Joe D. Fontanez-Marrero, of the 39300 block of North McAree Road in Beach Park, is charged with aggravated domestic battery with strangulation, resisting arrest causing injury and two counts of domestic battery stemming from the accusations, authorities said Monday.

Fontanez-Marrero is in custody at the Lake County jail pending a bond hearing later today.

He was arrested shortly after 7:45 p.m. Sunday, when Lake County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to his residence in response to a 911 call reporting a man attempting to break into a home.

The first deputy to arrive saw Fontanez-Marrero leave the home and, after spotting the deputy, throw what appeared to be a knife while running from the scene, sheriff's police said. The deputy gave chase and apprehend Fontanez-Marrero, who resisted arrest, according to the sheriff's office.

Further investigation revealed Fontanez-Marrero and a 40-year-old former girlfriend who also lived at the residence had been in an argument earlier, authorities said. Fontanez-Marrero left the home but came back just before 7:45 p.m., forced his way in and attacked the woman, according to sheriff's police.

Fontanez-Marrero punched, kicked, and choked the woman, then held a knife against her stomach area while threatening to kill her, authorities said. He fled when the first deputy arrived, according to the sheriff's office.

The woman suffered multiple bruises and a cut to the area Fontanez-Marrero held the blade to her, sheriff's police said. The deputy who captured Fontanez-Marrero sustained minor abrasions, they added.

"If it were not for the quick response and quick actions of our first deputy at the scene, this situation could have ended in tragedy for the victim," Sheriff John D. Idleburg said in an announcement of the arrest Monday.