Staff report

WALDO, Fla. – Michael Donell Thomas, Jr., 41, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly punching and choking a woman who gave him a place to stay for a few days; he also allegedly threatened her with a box cutter to keep her from leaving her house.

The victim reportedly allowed Thomas to stay at her house for a few days in December because he said he had nowhere to go. After he had been there a few days, the victim went to get pizza for dinner, and when she got home, Thomas allegedly said she took too long and physically attacked her.

Thomas also reportedly became angry when the victim went out and when he overheard her planning a trip. According to the arrest report, he allegedly punched her in the face at one point when she didn’t answer a question the way he wanted her to. During the same incident, he also allegedly choked her to the point where she couldn’t breathe and kicked her in the face.

Thomas allegedly picked up a box cutter and threatened to cut her face, including touching the blade to her face but not cutting it. The victim later said this made her afraid that he could use the box cutter against her at any time.

Thomas allegedly told the victim that he would kill her if she called the police and followed her around the house; at one point, he allegedly went into every room and smashed the screen of any TV he found, leading to damage of about $1,700.

After a night and day of this, the victim took advantage of a moment of inattention to run and hide in a neighbor’s yard and call 911. Thomas reportedly left in his vehicle before a deputy arrived.

The victim told the responding Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy that when she returned to her house, she found her purse open and keys to her vehicle and house missing, valued at $310. She also reported that Thomas yelled that he would be back before leaving.

The deputy reported that the victim had significant facial injuries and the house showed signs of physical altercations in several rooms.

A sworn complaint was filed, and a warrant for Thomas’ arrest was issued on December 26. He was arrested in Alachua County on January 9.

Thomas has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, battery by strangulation, false imprisonment, property damage over $1,000, battery, and petit theft. He has 10 felony convictions (one violent) and 16 misdemeanor convictions (two violent) and has served four state prison sentences, with his most recent release in June 2023. 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.