Gainesville Man Arrested for Felony Dating Violence After Victim Objected to him Inviting Another Woman Over

Gainesville Police Department officers arrested Nathanael Benjamin Johnson, 28, Monday and charged him with domestic battery by strangulation, a felony carrying a maximum prison sentence of five years.

According to the arrest report, the victim and Johnson got into an argument around 4:30 a.m. regarding Johnson “stating that he was going to bring another female to sleep over [at] their residence. The victim then told [Johnson] that she just paid a bill at the residence and she would be upset if another woman came over to sleep… The victim stated that [Johnson] proceeded to grab her with a single hand by her throat and started to squeeze. [Johnson] then threw the victim on the ground by the throat and then proceeded to grab [her] from behind with both arms in a chokehold.” 

Johnson then reportedly obstructed the victim from breathing. She told police she began seeing stars in her vision. 

The arrest report states the victim tired prying Johnson’s hand away from her neck but Johnson continued strangling her. 

Officer Ambar Melendez reported, “The victim stated that she was unable to scream or cry out for help and was afraid that [Johnson] was going to kill her. I observed red markings around the front of the victim’s neck while interviewing her… The victim also stated that she was having difficulty swallowing. Post-Miranda, [Johnson] invoked his right to remain silent and [declined] to make any statements regarding the incident.”

Johnson is reportedly employed as a cook in Broward Hall at the University of Florida. 

Johnson’s bond for his dating violence case is $50,000, and he has an additional $2,000 bond for failing to appear on an unrelated criminal traffic charge for driving with a suspected or revoked license. 

Johnson was arrested in 2025 following allegations of domestic violence but the case was dropped and expunged from court records.

On June 4, 2020, Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Johnson for allegedly committing domestic battery but the case was dropped and expunged. However, he was convicted of violating a no-contact order with the victim.