[PHOTO CREDIT: iStock / Sean824]
[Original Publish Date: 11/22/19]
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EUSTIS, Florida — A Eustis man is facing a litany of violent charges stemming from an incident earlier this month.
According to a probable cause affidavit (written by a Leesburg Police Department detective), Steven Tuff, 28, of Eustis, became enraged and accused a woman of infidelity after she received a call from an unknown male on Nov. 12. Tuff allegedly began punching the woman and strangling her, nearly to the point of blacking out.
Tuff picked up the victim and slammed her to the ground and hit her with an empty liquor bottle, pistol-whipped her and repeatedly threatened to shoot her, the affidavit states. The victim’s daughter called and Tuff ordered the victim to her vehicle at gunpoint and told her to drive him to Eustis. On the drive, Tuff continued to pistol-whip her and threatened to kill her and her adult daughters.
As the pair reached Bay Street in Eustis, the victim spotted a marked patrol car and began driving erratically in an effort to attract the officer’s attention. Tuff then exited the vehicle and fled, according to the affidavit. Eustis Police responded to the scene, along with Lake EMS. The victim — who had visible injuries to her neck and lacerations to her head — was transported to Central Florida Regional Medical Center, a Level II Trauma Center.
On Wednesday, Eustis Police and Leesburg Police attempted to locate Tuff and went to a residence he is known to frequent on Glover Street. Officers saw Tuff outside and attempted to make contact with him, and he turned to flee, the arrest affidavit states. Officers commanded Tuff to stop and he complied, and got on the ground. Upon searching Tuff, officers found two bags of cocaine.
Tuff was charged with kidnapping with a firearm, domestic battery by strangulation, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, aggravated assault with a firearm and possession of cocaine. He is being held at the Lake County Jail on $77,000 bond.
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Our Editor-in-Chief, Marilyn M. Aciego, began writing for Lake Legal News in 2010. In addition, she has made more than two dozen appearances on live national television, including Nancy Grace and the Greta Van Susteren show, along with her appearance on Evil Twins. Contact her with breaking news, tips, and feedback by sending an e-mail to 352Tips@gmail.com. You can also contact us on our Facebook page — and make sure you “Like” and “Follow us” there. [PHOTO CREDIT: Bonnie Whicher]
