Man Sentenced to 12 Months Probation for Domestic Battery and Resisting

Donald Tyler Scoates, 33, was convicted of domestic battery and resisting an officer without violence Wednesday and sentenced to 12 months of probation. 

Socates was initially charged with felony battery but the state ended up prosecuting him for misdemeanor battery. 

Facing up to a year in jail, Scoates took a plea deal that was accepted by Judge Kristine Van Vorst. 

According to the arrest report, Scoates and the victim were having a picnic at the park with their toddler child. Scoates and the victim got into an argument where he pushed her on the ground. 

Scoates was initially charged with robbery by sudden snatching for allegedly taking the victim’s phone but the count was dropped. 

A witness in the parking lot saw part of the altercation and called 911 but Socates left before police could arrive. 

The police report states Scoates has a history of domestic violence toward the victim. 

Scoates wasn’t arrested until six months after the incident when an Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputy found him rummaging through a dumpster at the Crossings at Santa Fe Apartments. Scoates fled the scene on his bike but was apprehended the same day.    

Under his probation, Scoates is required to complete a batterers’ intervention program and abstain from drugs and alcohol.