Violent details emerge in UF freshman’s arrest

Police: Watkins allegedly struck, choked girlfriend.

More details have come out involving the incident that led to arrest and suspension of Florida freshman Justin Watkins on Tuesday.

A University of Florida Police Department arrest report gives the following account of the crime:

On the late afternoon of July 20, police say Watkins struck his 18-year-old girlfriend with an open and closed fist on both sides of her head and on her shoulders while holding her down on a dorm room bed.

He got on top of her, pinning her to the bed again, the report says, wrapped his hands around her neck and choked her three times, once for 15 seconds and twice for about eight seconds.

Police say Watkins knew that she has asthma.

Police say he confined her to the room by standing in the doorway and blocking the exit.

She said, “I want to leave,” and, “Get out of the way,” the report says. When she tried to leave, he grabbed her hair and belt, yanking her back into the room.

The girlfriend sprayed mace in his face and fled, the report says. He chased her out the door and down the stairs. Police said he threw a wooden brush, hitting her left hand, and a container of hair grease that also struck her hand.

Watkins was booked on four charges Tuesday, including two felony charges, according to Alachua County court records.

Watkins was charged with two misdemeanor counts of battery and two third-degree felonies — false imprisonment of an adult and domestic battery by strangulation, according to court records. Florida coach Dan Mullen suspended him from the team.

It’s the second time in three months Watkins has found himself charged with a crime involving a female victim.

Watkins was arrested in Ocala in May for allegedly breaking a woman’s phone and kicking her car.

Watkins, a former fourstar prospect out of East Ridge High in Clermont who played receiver and cornerback, enrolled at Florida in June for the Summer B semester. He was expected to contribute in the secondary and on special teams.

FSU: Three-star recruit offensive lineman Charles Cross has one more visit to make and then he plans to make his college choice. He added offers from Arkansas, Auburn and Florida State in June, but two of those schools have already been eliminated and he is down to three.

“I am going back to Florida State this weekend, then I am looking to commit to them, Mississippi State or Ole Miss early in August,” said Cross, who is 6-foot-5, 275 pounds.

“I just think I will commit to one of those three schools in the next week or two.”

FAU: Less than two weeks before training camp, the Florida Atlantic Owls have received some late help for one of their biggest holes.

Former Florida Gators guard Antonio Riles, who started six games from 201417 while in Gainesville, has officially joined the Owls as a graduate transfer and is immediately eligible to play. Riles was granted a sixth-year of eligibility earlier this year.

Injuries limited Riles throughout his time in Gainesville, with a torn knee ligament costing him all of the 2016 season.

Riles will have an opportunity to compete for one of two starting guard spots as the Owls look to replace graduated starters.