GPD arrests man after victim alleges he beat her 40 times over 23 hours

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

Bobby Edward Fregia, Jr., 34, was arrested early this morning on charges of sexual battery (domestic), false imprisonment (domestic), domestic battery by strangulation, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon (domestic), aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (domestic), and possession of a weapon during the commission of a felony.

According to the arrest report, the victim told officers that she confronted Fregia on Monday afternoon about his fraudulent use of her credit card; the incident happened at the tent they share near SW 41st Blvd and SW Williston Road. Fregia allegedly became enraged and verbally abused the victim, held her against her will, beat her with his fists, kicked her, choked her with a gaiter, strangled her with a machete, hit her with a hammer, dragged her by the hair, dragged her by the feet, held her arms behind her back, threatened to kill her, and sexually assaulted her.

The victim alleged that Fregia “beat her 40 times” between 4:00 p.m. on Monday and 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday and choked her to unconsciousness several times with a gaiter she was wearing and with a machete he pressed to her throat. Fregia also allegedly hit the victim’s wrist with a hammer, resulting in broken bones.

At the emergency room, officers observed injuries consistent with the allegations, and they were able to arrest Fregia early Wednesday morning.