Staff report

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Marty Terelle Allen, Jr., 36, was arrested early this morning and charged with domestic battery and aggravated battery with a deadly weapon after allegedly punching his girlfriend and then hitting her friend with his vehicle, sending the friend to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

At about 11:35 p.m. on March 20, a Gainesville Police Department officer responded to Sweetwater Square Apartments (3501 NE 15th St.), where the victims said they were hanging out with Allen in the parking lot when Allen and his girlfriend started arguing and Allen punched his girlfriend in the face several times.

The officer reported that Allen’s girlfriend had a black eye and redness on her face, and her friend reportedly affirmed that the black eye had resulted from Allen punching her.

The second victim reportedly tried to get Allen to stop hitting his girlfriend, and then Allen allegedly got into his vehicle and abruptly accelerated toward her. The second victim was reportedly hit by the vehicle and thrown to the ground; her shoes landed several feet away. The second victim was transported to the hospital by EMS with non-life-threatening injuries.

Allen reportedly left the area, but officers located him a short time later in the 2300 block of NE 15th Street.

Post Miranda, Allen reportedly said at first that he and the first victim argued and then he left. He denied hitting the second victim with his vehicle. However, the officer reported that Allen later changed his story and said he hit the second victim with his vehicle because she was standing in front of his vehicle when he tried to leave. He denied punching the first victim.

The officer reported that Allen’s vehicle had a small dent near the front bumper.

Allen’s driver’s license was revoked in 2016, and the officer reported that he saw Allen driving his vehicle before he was arrested.

Allen has been charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, domestic battery, and driving with a revoked license. He has 11 felony convictions (one violent) and three misdemeanor convictions (one violent); he has served three state prison sentences, with his most recent release in 2016. He also has a Notice to Appear for property damage after allegedly breaking a window at his former girlfriend’s residence. Judge Kristine Van Vorst ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial.

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.