Man allegedly threatens wife of six years with firearm for suspected cheating

A Yalaha man was arrested for battery after allegedly threatening his wife of six years with a firearm because he thought she cheated.

A deputy responded to the Chevron gas station, located at 8049 County Road 48, on Saturday regarding an incident that occurred at an undisclosed Yalaha residence, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. 

The deputy met with the female victim who advised that she and her husband, 66-year-old James Michael Neiford went to downtown Eustis during the late evening hours Friday to have dinner on her birthday. They got back home sometime after 12 a.m., the report said. 

The pair was involved in a verbal altercation when Neiford accused the victim of cheating in the relationship in which both dated for 18 months before getting married six years ago. He grabbed her cellphone stating that he was going to check to find out who she was cheating with. At that point, the victim went out back of the residence to smoke a cigarette and to get away from him, the report said. 

A few moments later, Neiford came out very angry and continued to yell. He then grabbed the victim around the neck with his left hand, throwing her to the ground. As he kneeled over her, he again grabbed her neck with his left hand, the report said. 

With his other hand, Neiford pulled out a handgun and fired one shot near the victim’s left ear into the ground. He stated that he should just kill her and then shoot himself. Shortly after, the victim had the chance to leave so she did. She sustained minor bruising to her neck and some ringing in her left ear, the report said. 

The victim went and stayed in a motel. She feared for her life, not knowing if Neiford was going to kill her. She was too scared to report the incident at first but decided to after she came to grips with what happened, the report said. 

Contact was made with Neiford who stated he had nothing to say. The firearm was recovered later, the report said. 

Neiford was subsequently charged with aggravated battery person uses a deadly weapon (domestic). He was transported to the Lake County Jail to be held without bond.