Man accused of beating ex-girlfriend in van in front of 2 children

David Saletta, 42, arrested after threatened with Taser, deputies say

KEY LARGO, Fla. – A Key Largo man was arrested Thursday night after he beat his ex-girlfriend in her van in front of two children, authorities said.

Monroe County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Becky Herrin said the victim called the Sheriff's Office at 8:20 p.m. after her ex-boyfriend, David Saletta, 42, attacked her in her vehicle.

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The woman said Saletta was intoxicated when he repeatedly slapped her, bashed her head against the steering wheel and bit her on the cheek.

She said Saletta was sitting in the back seat as she was driving and that he covered her eyes at one point.

The woman pulled over at the 99 mile marker of U.S. Highway 1 so she wouldn't crash the van. She got out with the children, but Saletta followed, she said.

Herrin said the woman and children got back into the van and the woman drove to a Circle K convenience store, leaving Saletta on the side of the road.

Deputies responded to the 99 mile marker and found Saletta walking on the bike path with a beer in his hand, Herrin said.

Herrin said Saletta began screaming at one of the deputies and refused to comply with commands until he was threatened with a Taser.

Herrin said Saletta yelled while he was in the patrol car on the way to jail, but calmed down after he was threatened for a second time with the Taser.

Saletta was arrested on charges of domestic battery, child abuse and violating the state's open container ordinance.

Records show that Saletta was previously arrested in Nevada on a domestic battery charge.


About the Author:

Amanda Batchelor is the Digital Executive Producer for Local10.com.