INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A 22-year-old man originally arrested for choking a woman last month now faces additional charges – including sexual battery – in connection to the incident, authorities said.
The man – identified as Ian McPherson – faces new charges of false imprisonment, tampering with a victim and sexual battery. McPherson was still being held Tuesday at the Indian River County Jail. His bond amount was not immediately available.
Indian River County sheriff’s deputies on July 29 originally arrested McPherson, of the 2200 block of 50th Avenue, on a charge of battery by strangulation. The charges stem from an incident at the man’s home, where he and the woman got in an argument.
Deputies spoke with the woman about 1:30 p.m. July 29 at a home on 29th Street. The woman had several bruises on her neck, reports show.
The woman told deputies she went inside of McPherson’s home to break up with him. McPherson became angry and snatched the woman’s cell phone and wallet, reports show.
McPherson then grabbed the woman by the throat and began to choke her, authorities said. McPherson returned the woman’s keys so she could leave, but then grabbed her as she got into her car.
McPherson dragged the woman back inside the home, where he said he “would rape her,” reports show. McPherson then took off the woman’s clothes and inappropriately touched her, authorities said.
McPherson eventually gave the woman back her belongings. The woman then escaped to a relative’s home, reports show.
Deputies arrested McPherson. McPherson has an arraignment at 8:30 a.m. August 29, court records show.
