Domestic Battery Investigation Leads to Suspect Attacking Law Enforcement

BROOKSVILLE – Statistically, calls for service to domestic violence cases are some of the most unpredictable and dangerous calls investigated by law enforcement officers. That was just the case when Hernando County Sheriff's Deputies responded to a Brooksville residence yesterday, after reports that a pregnant woman was battered by her significant other.

According to officials, after interviewing the alleged victim and observing injuries consistent with her testimony, deputies turned their attention to the suspect, 37-year-old Joseph James Gouveia. When deputies attempted to make contact with Gouveia he backed away and refused to speak with them. When a deputy grabbed the suspect's arm, he broke free from the grip and "violently pushed another deputy to the ground." Another deputy deployed a taser and with the assistance of several deputies, he was taken into custody.

Gouveia was booked into the Hernando County Jail and charged with Domestic Battery on a Pregnant Woman, Witness Tampering, Battery on LEO x2, and Resisting Arrest with Violence. Gouveia remains behind bars on a $34,000 bond.

None of the deputies were seriously injured.