A 49-year-old Cudjoe Key man is facing felony charges after deputies responding to a domestic disturbance on Friday morning found a woman unconscious with visible facial injuries inside a home, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. The woman was still breathing when deputies arrived and was taken to Lower Keys Medical Center for treatment. Authorities say the man later admitted to hitting her, and investigators were told the woman had been choked.
According to the Tampa Free Press, deputies were called to the Cudjoe Key residence around 10 a.m. and found the woman lying unconscious near the foot of a bed with visible injuries. The outlet reports she was transported to Lower Keys Medical Center on Stock Island, where she later regained consciousness and told investigators that 49-year-old Joshua Joe Easterday had hit and choked her. The Tampa Free Press adds that Easterday admitted to hitting the woman and was booked into the county jail on charges of aggravated battery and domestic battery by strangulation.
Charges And The Law
Easterday is facing aggravated battery and domestic battery by strangulation, both of which carry felony penalties under Florida law. Domestic battery by strangulation is defined in the Florida Statutes and is generally treated as a third-degree felony. Aggravated battery can be charged as a second-degree felony when it involves great bodily harm or the use of a deadly weapon. Prosecutors in Monroe County will determine whether to file formal charges and which specific statutes to pursue as the investigation continues.
Why Strangulation Is Especially Dangerous
Non-fatal strangulation is widely recognized by experts as a serious warning sign in intimate-partner violence cases. A 2008 study in the Journal of Emergency Medicine found that strangulation is a significant risk factor in later intimate-partner homicides. Medical professionals also note that strangulation can cause internal injuries, brain damage, or other lasting harm even when external bruising or marks are minimal, which is why investigators tend to treat these reports with particular urgency.
What Happens Next And Where To Get Help
The Tampa Free Press reports that Easterday was booked into the Monroe County jail. Arraignment dates, bond amounts, and other case details will be listed in court records and through the Monroe County clerk's office as they become available.
If you or someone you know is in danger, the National Domestic Violence Hotline offers confidential support at 1-800-799-7233 or via online chat.
