Jeffrey Lee Battles, 46, of Lebanon, Ohio, is facing multiple felony charges in Lake County after a reported domestic violence incident at a Merrillville hotel. (Mugshot pending)
According to court records filed in Lake County, authorities charged Battles in connection with an incident that reportedly occurred on or around Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Hilton Garden Inn in the 7700 block of Mississippi Street in Merrillville.
A probable cause affidavit states officers were dispatched to the hotel on January 4, 2026, regarding a domestic disturbance reported to have taken place the previous evening involving a husband and wife. Investigators noted the victim appeared visibly shaken, upset, and emotionally distressed. The affidavit states the couple is married and shares a two-year-old child.
According to the affidavit, the incident began around 7:00 p.m. at a restaurant when Battles became upset concerning their child. The victim reported that Battles accused her of giving him an “evil stare” and grew increasingly angry despite her attempts to calm the situation. While driving back to the hotel, Battles allegedly continued arguing and became angry over the victim not using GPS navigation, accusing her of being verbally disrespectful, which she denied.
Once inside the hotel room, the affidavit states the victim sat on the bed next to their child while Battles angrily ranted about how “things were going to change” and told her she needed to watch how she spoke to him. The affidavit states Battles then approached the victim, placed his hand over her mouth and nose, and pushed her head into the bedding, preventing her from breathing. This reportedly occurred while the child was next to her on the bed and crying.
The affidavit further states Battles later placed both hands around the victim’s throat and neck, pushed her head against the headboard, and applied pressure that obstructed her normal breathing for several seconds before releasing her. The victim reported Battles continued acting aggressively, later picking her up, carrying her across the room, placing her on the couch, and forcefully slamming her down. After she rolled off the couch, the affidavit states Battles sat on top of her, restricting her movement and confining her to the floor.
According to the affidavit, Battles then opened the hotel room door and threatened to throw the victim outside. When she began screaming for help, Battles allegedly became more aggressive and accused her of trying to get him in trouble, stating that if she called the police, “this would end very quickly.” The victim told investigators that both she and Battles possess firearms and that, based on his actions and statements, she feared for her life.
Officers documented visible injuries, including redness and scratch marks on the victim’s throat and neck consistent with manual strangulation, along with redness and marks on her face consistent with pressure applied to the mouth and nose. The affidavit states the victim declined medical evaluation.
Battles was later located at a church in Hobart and taken into custody without incident. According to the affidavit, officers later recovered a handgun from under the driver’s seat of a vehicle after Battles stated, “It’s under the driver’s seat, there’s no round in the chamber.” Battles maintained his innocence and claimed his wife stabbed him, causing a cut on his foot that “needed stitches.” He declined medical attention.
He was lodged in the Lake County Jail.
Charges filed January 6, 2026:
• Criminal Confinement Resulting in Bodily Injury – Level 5 Felony
• Criminal Confinement – Level 6 Felony
• Strangulation – Level 6 Felony
• Strangulation – Level 6 Felony
• Domestic Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury – Level 6 Felony
• Domestic Battery Committed in the Presence of a Child Under 16 Years Old – Level 6 Felony
• Intimidation (Threat to Commit a Forcible Felony) – Level 6 Felony