A Palm Coast man was arrested on Tuesday after an alleged domestic violence incident against a pregnant woman. 25-year-old Damien Irven is accused of holding the victim against her will and attacking her in Palm Coast.
The victim contacted the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on Monday, May 18. She told deputies that Irven had assaulted her after an argument that began over text message. Once the incident turned physical, the victim said Irven strangled her until she couldn’t breathe and kept her from leaving the Palm Coast residence the two were in.
The FCSO says the alleged assault lasted for around five to six hours, per the victim. She reportedly told deputies that she believed Irven was going to kill her. He had allegedly threatened to do so on a phone call the day after if he found out that she told law enforcement about what happened.
An arrest warrant was subsequently obtained for Irven and a search began. The FCSO Fugitive Apprehension Unit worked alongside the Daytona Beach Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team to take him into custody on Tuesday at a Daytona Beach apartment complex.
Damien Irven has been charged with domestic battery by strangulation, aggravated battery on a pregnant person, witness tampering, felony battery with a prior conviction, robbery by sudden snatching, and false imprisonment. As of Thursday records show Irven is in custody at the Volusia County Branch Jail awaiting extradition to Flagler County.
Irven has prior arrests in Flagler County for domestic battery and aggravated stalking. The domestic battery charge resulted in a conviction.
“This suspect spent hours terrorizing a pregnant woman in her own home and then threatened her life if she called for help. That is pure evil,” said Flagler Sheriff Rick Staly. “Attacking a pregnant victim is about as low as it gets, and domestic violence has no place in Flagler County. Thanks to the outstanding work of our deputies, our Fugitive Apprehension Unit and our partners at the Daytona Beach Police Department, this violent offender is now behind bars where he belongs.”
In their announcement of Irven’s arrest the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office included an encouragement for those in a domestic violence situation to reach out for help. The FCSO non-emergency number is (386) 313-4911 and the Family Life Center can be reached at (386) 437-3505.
