Man Sentenced to One Year Probation for Scratching Woman’s Face, Dragging her Across Floor

Daniel Marquis Colay, 29, was convicted of domestic battery Thursday following a no contest plea and sentenced to one year of probation.    

Facing up to a year in jail for the misdemeanor charge, Colay took a plea deal that was accepted by Judge Menshon Rawls. 

The arrest report states Colay scratched the victim in the face during an argument and soon after dragged her across the floor by her shirt. Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies observed a scrape on the victim’s leg and fingernail marks on her cheek.

Colay told deputies he and the victim were involved in a “scuffle” but claimed he didn’t touch her face and she “did the marks to herself.” Colaw said the victim was “pulling his shirt and ripping at it,” but his shirt reportedly didn’t have any stretch marks. 

Colay will be required to complete a batterer’s intervention program, court records show.