CLERMONT, Florida—A day on the water ended in a trip to jail for a St. Cloud man after a 68-year-old woman reported he slapped her across the face and witnesses backed her claim, according to an arrest affidavit.
Clermont Police Department responded to a report of a physical altercation shortly after 4:45 p.m. Sunday. The victim told police she was boating with her family on Lake Palatlakaha and a man, later identified as Juan Carlos Pareja, 45, drove a jet ski close to the boat. A verbal altercation ensued and multiple people on jet skis aggressively surrounded to boat, she told CPD, and Pareja slapped her on the right side of her face.
CPD questioned Pareja, who said the victim struck him in the face and ripped the jet ski key from his wrist and he pushed her away. However, multiple witnesses said Pareja slapped the elderly woman, the arresting officer noted in the affidavit. Pareja was arrested for battery on a person 65 or older and transported to the Lake County Jail, where he was released on $2,000 bond
