Man With Dropped Assault Charge Arrested for Domestic Battery

Jonathan Hector Rivera, 26, was arrested on Saturday and charged with domestic battery. 

Rivera and the victim were in a car at a movie theater parking lot. Rivera was sitting in the driver’s seat while the victim was in the passenger seat. 

Rivera reportedly slapped the victim, causing her to call the police. Instead of waiting for police, Rivera drove home. 

Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers were waiting outside Rivera’s home when he drove up. When Rivera saw them, he ran inside the house. 

Officer Nicholas Schentrup reported that Rivera was arrested without incident and that he spontaneously uttered that he hit the victim.

Rivera admitted to slapping the victim again after he was read his Miranda rights but claimed it was in self-defense.

Rivera was released on recognizance and has been ordered to not contact the victim and not possess any drugs or weapons. 

In January, Rivera was charged via sworn complaint with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. GPD Officer George Connolly responded to a call for service indicating Rivera had pointed a gun at the victim’s head and stated he’d shoot her.

The victim told GPD that information the witnesses provided was incorrect and that it was a misunderstanding.

Connolly reported “I asked how that could be misunderstood with placing the firearm against her head and stating he would kill her. The victim sounded exasperated and repeated that she was emotional. The only parties present at the time of the events were the victim and [Rivera]. The witness and [their] sister’s statements were made dependent on the victim.”

Connolly reported “Due to multiple statements made from [Rivera’s] family that he would shoot at law enforcement becoming involved in this incident, I did not interview [him]."

Rivera’s aggravated assault charge was dropped two months after it was filed.