Marion County sheriff’s deputies arrested a wine-bottle-toting woman Tuesday afternoon after a juvenile reported being chased and hit from behind at an Ocala apartment complex.
When deputies arrived at South Pines Apartments at 301 S Pine Ave., they encountered 28-year-old Jessica Lee Hunter, “who seemed to be very intoxicated,” a sheriff’s office report states.
Hunter told deputies that a group of women “she does not really know” jumped her in front of the apartment complex’s office. She said she was acting in self-defense – a story that was corroborated by her sister.
But the juvenile and another witness told deputies a completely different story. The juvenile said Hunter apparently was upset because someone had called the Florida Department of Children and Families to report her.
The juvenile told deputies that Hunter chased her around the apartment complex with a wine bottle in her hand while cursing and screaming. She said Hunter caught up with her in front of one of the apartments and hit her from behind in the right side of her jaw. The juvenile said Hunter then grabbed her by both arms and tried to throw her to the ground.
At that point, the juvenile said, she hit Hunter in the mouth with a closed fist in self-defense, adding that Hunter then hit her several times in her face and head before other people broke up the fight. The juvenile also said the incident was unprovoked.
A witness at the scene “with no personal interest in either party” confirmed the juvenile’s story, reiterating that Hunter attacked her from behind and threw the first punch. Deputies noted that injuries observed on the juvenile’s chest, face and arms also corroborated her story.
Hunter, who had a bloody lip and was medically cleared, was taken into custody and transported to the Marion County Jail. She was charged with battery (second or subsequent offense) and held on $2,000 bond.
