A Belleview man was taken into custody early Sunday morning after deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to a domestic disturbance and documented injuries consistent with strangulation, according to an arrest affidavit.
Deputies were called to a residence in Belleview shortly after 4 a.m. on November 23. When they arrived, they made contact with the victim, who appeared visibly upset, crying, and struggling to breathe. The victim told deputies she had been staying at the home with her boyfriend, Kam Scott Crowley, 35, and that the two had been in a relationship for more than a year.
According to the affidavit, Crowley returned home intoxicated after being at a bar. The argument began outside in the driveway, where the victim reported that he threw Christmas decorations during the dispute. She retreated inside the home and locked herself in a bedroom, but Crowley forced his way in. The victim then ran into the attached bathroom, where Crowley followed.
Deputies wrote that Crowley blocked the exit and confronted the victim. A video recorded on the victim’s phone before it was taken from her showed Crowley crouched in the doorway and striking her with his right hand. The affidavit states that Crowley then placed both hands around the victim’s neck, squeezing tightly enough that she was unable to breathe.
The victim later sent multiple emails to a friend and to 911 asking for help and reporting that she had been assaulted and choked. Deputies observed fresh red marks and scratches on her neck, chest, lower jaw, and hands. One finger appeared swollen and discolored.
A neighbor told deputies he heard an argument followed by several “pop” sounds and recalled hearing Crowley demanding his belongings so he could leave.
Crowley fled the residence before law enforcement arrived but was later located at his parents’ home on SE 68th Court. Deputies attempted to speak with him through the locked screen door. After being read his Miranda rights, Crowley refused to answer further questions and briefly shut the door on deputies. The affidavit states he eventually surrendered after a short standoff.
Crowley was arrested at 5:27 a.m. and transported to the Marion County Jail. He faces three charges: felony domestic battery by strangulation, misdemeanor domestic battery (touch or strike), and resisting an officer without violence. All three charges carried no bond at the time of booking, according to jail records.
