John Iaasais Zapata, 30, of Cleveland was arrested Oct. 11 after he allegedly strangled his girlfriend during a dispute at the victim’s apartment at Dearing Courtyard, according to an Athens-Clarke County police report made public Tuesday.
He was charged with aggravated assault and simple battery.
Officer’s responded to the victim’s home on Dearing Street on a neighbor’s report of seeing, through his window, the victim and Zapata engaged in a struggle, with Zapata “thrashing her around,” according to police. In addition to strangling her, he reportedly dragged her about by the hair, police said.
Anyone who is in an abusive relationship can seek advice and services by calling Project Safe’s 24-hour hotline at (706) 543-3331, or by visiting http://www.project-safe.org/.