Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – James Cleveland Perry, 61, was arrested yesterday morning for domestic battery and false imprisonment after a multi-hour search.

The victim told Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies that Perry had hit her at about 3:53 a.m. on July 15; she said they had been dating and living together for about a year.

The victim reportedly said that after Perry hit her, she tried to leave, but he put his arm across the doorway and told her she wasn’t allowed to leave; because of his size, she said, she was afraid to try to leave, but she told Perry she was going to call the police, and he took her phone and said, “You aren’t calling anybody.” She was eventually able to escape, and she ran to a neighbor’s home to call 911.

Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the 1000 block of SW 59th Terrace and reported that the victim’s injuries included a swollen and bruised eye and lacerations on her face, consistent with being hit in the face or head.

Deputies made public address announcements outside the victim’s home and eventually cleared the residence after receiving no response. A search of the surrounding area began after deputies determined that Perry was not inside the residence.

At about 10:30 a.m., Perry was found in the 1000 block of SW 61st Street and taken into custody.

While speaking with a deputy, Perry reportedly said he had been with the victim at the time of the incident and that they had been drinking when she became verbally hostile and “fell over” several times, due to her drunken state. Post Miranda, Perry reportedly denied any of the victim’s allegations.

Perry, who is described as homeless in a court document, has been charged with obstructing justice by hindering communication with law enforcement, false imprisonment, and domestic battery. He has 21 felony convictions (non-violent) and 23 misdemeanor convictions (non-violent); he has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2021. Judge Susan Miller-Jones set bail at $150,000 and ordered a mental health evaluation.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.