A Fruitland Park man was arrested after allegedly battering his girlfriend after she received a warning for a bike light.
Police responded to a battery at a residence in Fruitland Park at around 5:20 p.m. Wednesday, according to an arrest report from the Fruitland Park Police Department.
The victim advised that she and her boyfriend, 44-year-old Joseph Robert Moseley, were around U.S. Hwy.27/441 the previous day when she was stopped by a deputy for a bicycle light violation. Moseley was a short distance away at the time of the stop. The victim was given a warning for the light before law enforcement left the scene, the report said.
Moseley and the victim were walking southbound together when he became irate at her for stopping for the police, the report said. They both stopped walking, at which point the victim asked Moseley to stop and told him that he was full of lies.
Moseley then punched the victim in the face, causing her to fall to the ground, the report said. He kicked her in the abdomen area, spat on her and threw things in her face. Moseley also took her phone during the altercation.
As the officer spoke to the victim, he observed her injuries. She had a cut on her lip, a large bruise on her abdomen and a bump on the left side of her forehead. Despite this, she declined medical treatment, the report said.
Police found Moseley at his residence on 702 Pennsylvania Avenue, the report said. Moseley originally stated he was not with the victim at all during the incident, but he later stated he was after an officer confirmed his presence.
Moseley claimed to have seen the victim get stopped by the officer and waited for her to finish. He stated he spoke to the victim and ended their month-long relationship, after which he drove home. He also said nothing happened between him and the victim during their conversation, but that she was messed up on dope, the report said.
Due to the victim’s statements and injuries, officers determined probable cause existed to arrest Moseley. A search was then conducted of his person. During the search, officers found a capsule containing a clear crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine. They also discovered a cigarette container containing a baggie with a green leafy substance, the report said.
Moseley was charged with possession of methamphetamine. Because he had prior convictions for battery, Moseley was charged with felony battery for dating violence. He was transported to the Lake County Jail with bond set at $7,000.
