Chiefland Man Arrested for First-Degree Felony in Gainesville, Released on Bond Soon After
On September 27, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Christopher Morgan Hoffman, 31, and charged him with burglary with assault/battery, a first-degree felony that carries a potential life sentence.
Judge George Wright set the bond at $50,000 with conditions to not contact the victim and to refrain from possessing weapons or firearms. Hoffman posted the bond and was released soon after.
According to the arrest report, Deputy Robert Smith arrived on scene to find Hoffman in the front yard of the residence. Smith reported, “Christopher advised he got into an argument with the victim… and wanted to leave the residence. He then requested to get his clothing and television from within the residence. Christopher also stated he knocked on the door and [the victim]’s mother ([witness]) opened the door and then he entered the residence. While in the residence [the victim] was shoving him back outside of the residence. Christopher stated he then lowered his shoulder to brace against [the victim] pushing him outside of the house. Christopher stated that he did not put his hands on anyone. I noticed red marks on the right side and scratches on the left side of his neck, which he said was from [the victim] trying to get him out of the house. The marks were consistent with [the victim and witness] attempting to remove him from the residence.”
The victim stated that she, Hoffman and her child were returning from getting food when they began to argue at the residence. She said Hoffman ran to the front door and began knocking, and she told him to not enter. The victim advised that the witness opened the door soon before Hoffman pushed her inside into the witness.
Smith reported, “[The victim] told me she was able to run into her bedroom and close the door and place her dresser in front of the door so Christopher could not enter the room. No injury was observed to her person... [The witness said] she was in the back room and heard someone knocking on the front door. [She] advised me she opened the door and witnessed [the victim] and Christopher arguing. [The witness] states [the victim] was attempting to place [her child] inside the residence while trying to keep Christopher outside of the home. [The witness] told me Christopher pushed [the victim] into her and entered the residence. [She] revealed she then grabbed Christopher by the back of his shirt to get him outside of the residence, by doing so it allowed [the victim] to run inside of the residence and go into her bedroom.”
Smith determined that Hoffman entered the residence without permission to do so and battered the victim. Hoffman and the victim were not in a years-long relationship and they did not reside together, the arrest report states.
Smith notified the Florida Department of Children and Families of the incident.
Prosecutors have not yet filed formal charges.
