17-Year-Old Charged In Dating Violence Case, Hillsborough Sheriff Says

BRANDON, FL — A 17-year-old Brandon boy has been arrested after a dating violence incident in which a victim was held against her will, assaulted, strangled and threatened with a firearm, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Detectives with the Domestic Violence Section responded Wednesday to a home in Brandon and a local hospital after the victim was transported for non-life-threatening injuries following the assault.

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Though the sheriff’s office has named the suspect, it’s Patch policy not to name minors accused of crimes unless they’re charged as an adult. It’s not known whether he was charged as a juvenile or an adult.

Investigators learned that the victim had an argument with her boyfriend, the suspect, when he brandished a firearm and held her against her will, the sheriff’s office said.

The teen suspect repeatedly choked, slapped and struck the victim with the firearm while threatening to kill her and members of her family, detectives said.

He also took the victim's phone to prevent her from calling for help.

The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries.

During the investigation, detectives recovered the firearm used during the incident, the agency said.

The suspect was charged with armed kidnapping harm or terrorize, armed false imprisonment, aggravated battery deadly weapon, battery, battery by strangulation, felon in possession of a firearm (juvenile conviction), felon in possession of ammunition (seven counts, juvenile conviction), and tampering with a witness, according to the sheriff's office.

He is currently on juvenile probation for felony firearm offenses.

"No one should ever live in fear of someone who claims to care about them," Sheriff Chad Chronister said. "This suspect used violence, intimidation, and a firearm to control and terrorize the victim. These are horrific acts, and we will continue to aggressively pursue those who commit domestic violence and ensure victims know they are not alone."

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