A Florida man who swam to an island after assaulting his girlfriend has been apprehended, authorities report. Jeriel Joiner, 42, was detained on June 23 and faces charges including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, domestic battery by strangulation and felony battery, as stated by the Port Orange Police Department on Facebook.
Joiner reportedly struck his girlfriend on the head with a handle of vodka, choked her with his hands and later used a rope, police said. According to the body cam footage, He hit me in the eye with the bottle of vodka
, the victim told police. He said he poured it out, but he drank the vodka.
Authorities believe her arm might have been broken during the struggle. Despite her injuries, she managed to break free and bystanders intervened to stop Joiner from causing further harm. Moments later, he escaped and swam to an island along the Intracoastal Waterway.
The Intracoastal Waterway is a critical region for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.The Law Enforcement division protects Florida’s fish and wildlife resources and ensures public safety
. Officers traveled to the island using a Florida Fish and Wildlife boat. After an extensive search that night, they found Joiner inside a tent. Police body-cam footage shows officers surrounding the tent with guns drawn while ordering him to step out with his hands up.
Joiner, who was lying on an air mattress inside the tent, complied with police commands, raised his hands, exited the tent, and was handcuffed without any resistance. He is currently held at Volusia County Jail under a $17,500 bond. The exact date for his court appearance remains unclear as of now.
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