A tense last night west of Lakeland ended at a red light when deputies boxed in a blue sedan and arrested a man they say had just punched and choked another person, then grabbed the victim’s phone as they tried to call 911. Deputies later stopped the car and took the driver into custody on multiple charges, including aggravated battery by strangulation and DUI.
What the sheriff posted
According to a social media update from Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd, deputies were dispatched around 9:21 p.m. yesterday to a residence near Tanglewood Street and Combee Road. When they arrived, they learned an unidentified man had allegedly assaulted another person by repeatedly punching and choking them, and had taken the victim’s cell phone during an attempted 911 call.
The post identifies the suspect as 38-year-old Michael Joshua Stammer of Lakeland. The sheriff’s account says Stammer fled the area in a blue 2014 Toyota sedan, with deputies following as additional units moved in. The vehicle was ultimately boxed in at US 98 and County Road 540A, where it was stopped at a red light and Stammer was arrested.
According to the sheriff’s post, Stammer was booked on charges that include aggravated battery by strangulation, simple battery, tampering with a victim and DUI, and deputies believed he was driving under the influence at the time of the traffic stop.
Booking and processing
Authorities say Stammer was taken to the sheriff’s processing center for booking following his arrest. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office lists the Sheriff's Processing Center in Winter Haven as the agency’s booking facility.
As of publication, there were no court filings or a public arrest affidavit available online beyond the agency’s social media update.
Charges and legal context
One of the allegations Stammer faces is battery by strangulation, which Florida law treats as a felony offense. Under Florida Statute 784.031, battery by strangulation is classified as a third-degree felony. Third-degree felonies in Florida can carry sentences of up to five years in prison under state sentencing statutes.
The DUI and tampering with a victim counts carry their own potential penalties under state law. All charges remain allegations unless and until they are proven in court.
