Communication Builds Our Community
Communication Builds Our Community
A Lake Wales teacher is facing three felony charges after a violent assault at a local home.
Thomas Griffin, 51, was charged with three felony counts after forcing his way into a home to violently assault the a boyfriend of a former romantic interest. Griffin has been placed on administrative leave from his role as an educator at McLaughlin Middle-High School in Lake Wales,
Polk County Sheriff's deputies arrested 51-year-old Thomas Griffin, a middle school teacher at McLaughlin Middle-High School in Lake Wales, charging him with burglary with assault, false imprisonment, and battery by strangulation.
According to witnesses, on December 14 Griffin arrived at the residence of a woman with whom he had a prior romantic involvement and began banging on the door and demanding to know where her male guest was. When that person appeared and attempted to calm Griffin, he forced his way into the home and "violently assaulted, choked, and pummeled the victim," according to police reports.
Police were summoned and found the victim "in obvious distress." He was examined by Polk County Fire Rescue and transported to a local hospital. The woman's child was also in the home during the altercation. Neither she nor her child were injured.
According to a statement issued by the Polk County Sheriff's office, "deputies interviewed the victim at the hospital after he was examined and treated by Medical staff." He told investigators that Griffin had "grabbed him by the throat, cutting off his ability to breathe, and pinned him against a wall."
The victim also told investigators that he was "struck in the face multiple times by Griffin with a closed fist, resulting in both bleeding, and one of his teeth being knocked out. Deputies observed the injuries to the victim's face and arms, and marks on his neck where Griffin had strangled him." Griffin fled the scene after the attack.
The victim's girlfriend told deputies she had a prior romantic relationship with Griffin that had ended. She advised investigators that Griffin "did not have permission to be at her home." She told investigators that she had seen Griffin strike the victim multiple times, and that she had attempted to stop Griffin's attack and protect the victim.
Thomas Griffin was located and arrested by PCSO deputies on December 17 and charged with burglary with first-degree felony assault, third-degree felony false imprisonment, and third-degree battery by strangulation.
"As a teacher, hopefully a former teacher, Griffin holds a position of trust in our community-a trust that has been severely broken," said Polk Sheriff Grady Judd.
According to Polk County Public Schools, Griffin has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
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