OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A Gainesville man faces felony and misdemeanor changes after Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies say he strangled and battered his fiancée during a dispute at a truck stop in Ocala.
Elijah Xavias Jenkins, 25, was arrested Sunday, June 7, 2026, and charged with domestic battery by strangulation and battery-touch or strike.
Deputies responded to Love’s Travel Stop, located at 7791 NW 47th Ave., shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday following reports of a domestic battery that had just occurred. According to the report, the victim told deputies she and Jenkins, her fiancé and the father of one of her children, were arguing while sitting inside a vehicle. The victim said the argument escalated after Jenkins began calling her vulgar names.
The victim told investigators she placed a finger near Jenkins’ face and told him to stop. She alleged Jenkins then grabbed her phone, slapped her on the left side of the face with an open hand and later punched her in the face with a closed fist, causing a small laceration to her lower lip.
The victim further alleged that after Jenkins exited the vehicle and gathered belongings from the rear of the car, he grabbed her neck with both hands, squeezed and threatened to kill her. She told deputies the pressure made it difficult for her to breathe. The victim also alleged Jenkins grabbed both side of her face, headbutted her and struck her head with a closed fist before leaving the area.
Deputies observed a visible laceration on the victim’s lower lip that was bleeding slightly. The report notes deputies were unable to observe additional injuries to the victim’s face or neck.
An eyewitness who was parked nearby told deputies she heard yelling and observed Jenkins striking the victim near the rear of the vehicle. The witness also reported seeing Jenkins with his hands around the victim’s throat.
Jenkins was located a short distance away and agreed to speak with deputies after being advised of his rights. Jenkins acknowledged that he and the victim had been arguing and admitted calling her a derogatory name. However, he denied strangling, punching, slapping or headbutting the victim. He told deputies the victim grabbed him around the neck during the argument and that he elbowed and pushed her away to get free. He also claimed she bit his hand, though deputies reported finding no visible injuries.
Based on the victim’s statements, witness testimony and physical evidence, deputies arrested Jenkins and transported him to the Marion County Jail. Jenkins was already on felony probation at the time of the arrest for another incident, and deputies noted the new arrest resulted in an alleged probation violation.
Jenkins remains in custody on a no-bond hold following his arrest.
