MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Florida. – A South Florida firefighter appeared in court Monday, a day after he was arrested on domestic violence charges.
According to his arrest report, Michael Paul Saavedra, 38, and his ex-girlfriend had been living together for four months.
Miami-Dade police said the two were lying in bed Sunday when they got into an argument.
Saavedra then mounted the victim and placed his hands around her neck, suffocating her, authorities said.
Police said he continued to hold the victim’s neck with one hand while slapping the victim multiple times across the face with his free hand.
According to his arrest report, he eventually let her go and left the house.
He later returned after the victim called police, according to the report.
Police said the victim suffered a nosebleed, redness on her upper arms, neck and upper chest, and bruising on her face and forehead.
Saavedra denied hitting the victim, police said.
He was arrested on charges of assault and battery by strangulation.
During his court appearance Monday, a judge ordered him held in lieu of $5,000 bond. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim and to possess no weapons or ammunition.
The arrest report did not indicate which fire department Saavedra works for.