A Groveland man was arrested for battery after allegedly punching his cousin in the face.
An officer responded to a call for service regarding a battery at an undisclosed Leesburg residence around 11:48 a.m. Monday, according to an arrest report from the Leesburg Police Department.
Upon arrival, the officer met with the male victim who stated that he and his cousin, 61-year-old Timothy Lee Kunkel, had been in a verbal altercation at about 5 a.m. During this, Kunkel sprayed him with a garden hose outside the residence. He then grabbed the victim, shoving him onto the front porch in front of the door, the report said.
The victim fell to the ground where Kunkel punched him with a closed fist two times in the face. He did not dial Leesburg Emergency Services due to fear of retaliation. This was not the first time Kunkel had battered him, but this was the first time he called the police to request services. The victim also stated he did not fight back during the altercation, the report said.
The victim had a clear, fresh cut on his chin about 1 inch long. He had multiple contusions on his arms, which he advised were from prior altercations with Kunkel that he did not call the police for. Additionally, they were blood relatives and shared a residence, the report said.
The officer next made contact with Kunkel who was asleep in the furthest most bedroom of the residence. He confirmed there was a verbal altercation at about 5 a.m., he sprayed the victim with a garden hose, and he grabbed the victim by the shirt. However, he denied punching him in the face. Kunkel further advised that his cousin was an alcoholic, and they got into verbal altercations often, the report said.
Due to the victim’s injuries and no visible injuries to Kunkel, the officer determined a battery happened with Kunkel as the aggressor. The incident was deemed domestic because of the cousins living together as a family unit since June, the report said.
Kunkel was subsequently arrested on charge of simple battery (domestic). He was transported to Lake County Jail and released after posting $1,000 bond.