Micanopy man charged with choking and pointing gun at woman

Staff report

Updated on February 18 with bail information.

MICANOPY, Fla. – Taft McClay Jasper, 49, was arrested yesterday and charged with choking a woman and pointing a gun at her.

On February 11, an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy responded to the UF Health Kanapaha Emergency Room, where the victim said she and Jasper had argued the previous night, and the argument turned physical.

The victim reportedly said she was trying to talk to Jasper about a misunderstanding when he became angry and dragged her across the floor by the ankles before choking her and then grabbing and twisting her wrists. She said he walked into another room and pointed a silver handgun at her, so she separated herself from him.

The deputy reported that the victim had discoloration and marks on her throat, along with swelling and bruising on her wrist and arms; she also had a large contusion on her face.

A deputy contacted Jasper at his workplace and arrested him. Post Miranda, Jasper reportedly acknowledged that he had argued with the victim, but he denied any physical altercation.

Jasper reportedly consented to a search of his vehicle, and the search reportedly produced a silver handgun that matched the victim’s description.

Jasper has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, domestic battery by strangulation, and domestic battery. He has one reckless driving conviction from 2006 and a dropped domestic battery charge from 2024. Judge Susan Miller-Jones ordered him held without bail pending a hearing on a motion from the State Attorney’s office to hold him without bail until trial. On February 18, Judge Denise Ferrero denied the motion and set bail at $205,000, with a requirement for a GPS monitor.

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.