Gainesville Man Arrested for Domestic Battery and Obstructing 911 Call

Gainesville Police Department officers arrested Ryan Earl Johnston, 41, Tuesday and charged him with domestic battery and obstructing justice. 

According to the arrest report, Johnston and the victim were in a verbal altercation that turned physical when he threw a cup filled with ice at her face, striking the top of her head.

The victim called 911, but Johnston reportedly grabbed the phone out of her hands and stated, “911 cancel,” before hanging up the phone. 

When police asked him about the incident, Johnston reportedly stated he “dumped ice into [the victim’s] lap but did not throw the cup at her.” He also denied taking the victim’s phone, but surveillance footage showed otherwise. 

According to the arrest report, the surveillance footage shows the victim exiting the residence while on the phone. Johnston follows her outside while yelling and asks who she was calling before realizing it was 911. He then swings his hands towards the victim and grabs the phone. 

Johnston was released on recognizance under the condition he not contact the victim.