A Leesburg man turned himself in a few days after he punched his stepson over his claims of seeing his stepfather with another woman.
Deputies responded to a battery complaint involving 42-year-old Tristan Whitehead at an undisclosed Leesburg residence around 12:24 p.m. Friday, according to an arrest report from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon arrival, contact was made with the victim and a witness at the residence. The report noted that the victim had blood around his mouth and nose. He also advised that his tooth had been knocked out, the report said.
The victim stated that his mother was currently out of town for work, at which time his stepfather, Whitehead, brought home a woman that he did not know home to their residence. He called his mother who confronted Whitehead. When he got home from work, he began to argue with the victim, at which time the victim told him to calm down and watch his tone, the report said.
Whitehead then charged the victim and began to hit him in the face with a closed fist about 15 times, breaking his glasses and knocking out his front tooth. Once separated, Whitehead grabbed a firearm and fled the residence in his white 2018 Dodge pickup truck, the report said.
The witness advised he arrived at the residence about the same time as his stepfather. Whitehead appeared to be frustrated and ran into the residence saying he was going to fight the victim for lying. The victim told him, “You’re not going to do anything,” at which time Whitehead lunged and began punching him. The victim was punched in multiple places in his head, causing him to lose a tooth and possibly receive a concussion, the report said.
On Monday, contact was made with Whitehead. He was asked if he know the reason for the deputy’s call to which he stated, “All I am gonna say is, I defended myself.” He agreed to turn himself in at Lake County Jail and later did so, the report said.
The New York native was subsequently charged with aggravated battery (domestic – cause bodily harm or disability). Bond was set at $10,000.