Ohio Preacher Charged After Reported Domestic Battery at Merrillville Hotel
Jeffrey Lee Battles, 46, of Lebanon, Ohio, is facing multiple felony charges in Lake County following a reported domestic violence incident at a Merrillville hotel. (Mugshot pending)
According to court records filed in Lake County, Battles was charged after an incident that reportedly occurred on or around Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 7700 block of Mississippi Street, in Merrillville.
A probable cause affidavit states police were dispatched to the hotel on January 4, 2026, in reference to a domestic disturbance that reportedly occurred the previous evening involving a husband and wife. The victim appeared visibly shaken, upset, and emotionally distressed. The affidavit states the couple is married and share a two-year-old child.
According to the affidavit, the incident began at approximately 7:00 p.m. at a restaurant when Battles became upset regarding their child. The victim reported Battles accused her of giving him an “evil stare” and became increasingly angry despite her attempts to de-escalate the situation. While driving back to the hotel, the affidavit states Battles continued arguing and became angry over the victim not using GPS navigation, accusing her of being verbally disrespectful, which she denied.
Once back in the hotel room, the affidavit states the victim sat on the bed next to their child while Battles began angrily ranting about how “things were going to change” and that 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 to the extent she could not breathe. This occurred while the child was immediately next to her on the bed and crying.
The affidavit further states Battles later placed both hands around the victim’s throat and neck, pushing her head against the headboard and applying 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 increasingly 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 advised investigators that both she and Battles possess firearms and, based on his conduct 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, as well as 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, a handgun was later recovered 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 protested his innocence and stated his wife had stabbed him, causing a cut on his foot that “needed stitches.” He declined medical attention.
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
