Jovontae I. Newman, 27, of Gary, has been charged in Lake County following what police describe as a violent domestic attack involving two women at a Gary apartment during the early morning hours of July 9.

According to court documents, Gary police responded at approximately 4:07 a.m. to an apartment in the 500 block of Madison Street after receiving a report of a domestic disturbance. Investigators allege Newman arrived at his ex-girlfriend’s apartment during the early morning hours. After she stepped outside to speak with him and told him another woman was inside the residence, Newman allegedly placed both hands around her neck, restricting her breathing, pushed her down a hallway, and slapped her in the face. When she threatened to call police, Newman allegedly responded, “I’ll break your door down before that,” before kicking the apartment door open and forcing his way inside.

Once inside, police allege Newman punched the second woman in the face and repeatedly assaulted both women as they attempted to intervene. Court records state Newman grabbed both women by their hair, threw them around the bathroom, and one victim believed he was attempting to force her head into a toilet. The assault ended only after the second woman broke free and called police, causing Newman to flee before officers arrived. Officers documented injuries, including bloodshot eyes consistent with strangulation, swelling, bruising and jaw injuries.

Later that morning, investigators were notified by staff at Northlake Methodist Hospital that Newman was allegedly calling one of the victims while she was receiving treatment and told her he was outside the hospital and intended to “kick her ass.” A vehicle believed to be associated with Newman was identified through Flock License Plate Reader technology near the hospital, and he was arrested later that evening during a traffic stop in Gary. Two cell phones were recovered as evidence.

During follow-up interviews, one victim reported Newman left with her 8-week-old American Pit Bull puppy. Investigators also recovered text messages that allegedly contained implied threats to publicly release intimate videos and suggested Newman intended to return to the apartment. The second woman told detectives Newman also grabbed her by the neck, squeezed until it caused pain, and threatened to kill both women. She told investigators she believed he would have carried out the threat had police not been called.

Court records state Newman initially denied being at the apartment and claimed someone else caused the victim’s injuries. After waiving his Miranda rights, investigators allege Newman admitted he had been drinking heavily, drove to the apartment around 3 a.m., became upset when he was not allowed inside, and admitted multiple times that he slapped and choked the victim before forcing his way into the apartment.

The probable cause affidavit also states Newman was on federal supervised release in connection with an April 28, 2022, bank robbery case and notes investigators learned he was no longer on electronic monitoring despite records indicating he had previously been subject to that condition.

Charges filed July 11, 2026:

Domestic Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury — Level 5 Felony

Residential Entry — Level 6 Felony

Strangulation (2 counts) — Level 6 Felony

Criminal Confinement — Level 6 Felony

Intimidation: Threat to Commit a Forcible Felony — Level 6 Felony

Domestic Battery — Class A Misdemeanor

Theft — Class A Misdemeanor