INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 22-year-old man suspected of choking, inappropriately touching and threatening to sexually assault a woman he met through social media was arrested Sunday.
The man – identified as Ian Douglas McPherson – told deputies he and the woman got into an argument. The woman said she went to McPherson’s place early Sunday to break up with him, reports show.
Indian River County sheriff’s deputies arrested McPherson, of the 2200 block of 50th Avenue, on charges of battery by strangulation and violation of probation. McPherson is being held at the Indian River County Jail without bond.
Deputies spoke with the woman, who had several bruises on her neck, about 1:30 p.m. Sunday at a home on 29th Street, reports show. The woman told authorities she and McPherson met in person just two weeks ago.
The name of the social media platform where they met was not available.
The woman said McPherson became angry on Sunday and snatched the woman’s cell phone, keys and wallet, reports show. McPherson then grabbed the woman by the throat and began to choke her, authorities said.
The woman passed out and then regained consciousness. McPherson then gave the woman back the keys to her vehicle.
The woman walked to her car and got inside when McPherson dragged her out of the vehicle and back inside the home. McPherson told the woman “he is going to rape her,” reports show. He then undressed the woman and inappropriately touched her private parts, authorities said.
McPherson eventually gave the woman back her belongings. The woman was able to escape to a relative’s home.
Deputies arrested McPherson and took him to the county jail. McPherson has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. August 29, court records show.
