(Marion County, FL) Today, the Office of State Attorney Bill Gladson for the Fifth Judicial Circuit announces a guilty verdict in the case against 38-year-old Kevin Thomas McDonough. After the one-day jury trial on March 24, 2026, jurors found McDonough guilty of Domestic Battery by Strangulation. McDonough was sentenced to five years in the Florida Department of Corrections.

While responding to a separate call for service, Marion County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) deputies were informed by the victim that the defendant had been violent and choked the victim during a heated argument.

The victim provided photographs of the neck injuries sustained during the physical attack, as well as a video recording of the battery. Upon reviewing the video, deputies observed the victim and the defendant inside a bedroom, engaged in a verbal argument.

During the argument, the defendant lunged over the victim, placing both hands around the victim’s throat. The victim is clearly pinned down by the defendant before falling to the floor, where McDonough continues to strangle the victim. The battery ends when a minor child is seen running into the room, yelling at the defendant to get off the victim.

MCSO authorities obtained an arrest warrant for McDonough, who was later apprehended.

The outcome of this case was a result of the diligent prosecution efforts of Assistant State Attorneys Lillian Rozsa and James Moody.

Published on 03/26/2026.