Man arrested for choking roommate and preventing him from leaving

BY JENNIFER CABRERA

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – David Wesley Harteis, 35, was arrested yesterday afternoon and charged with false imprisonment and felony battery after an argument with a roommate that turned physical.

The victim reportedly told a Gainesville Police Department officer that he and Harteis were arguing and that he tried to leave the residence after Harteis approached him, but Harteis blocked him from leaving and choked him. The victim said he took a knife from his pocket to defend himself, but Harteis took it from him.

The landlord reportedly arrived while the officer was there and said that others who live in the apartment had sent him videos showing Harteis acting aggressively toward them.

Harteis has three felony convictions and several misdemeanor convictions, including one for domestic battery and one for violating a domestic violence injunction. He is being held on $15,000 bail.

Articles about arrests are based on reports from law enforcement agencies. The charges listed are taken from the arrest report and/or court records and are only accusations. All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.