Lake Wales teacher accused of breaking into ex-girlfriend’s home, strangling her new boyfriend: PCSO
LAKE WALES, Fla. - A middle school teacher in Lake Wales has been placed on administrative leave after deputies arrested him on several charges including burglary and strangulation.
Polk County deputies say 51-year-old Thomas Griffin went to his ex-girlfriend’s home last Saturday, banged on her door and demanded to know the whereabouts of her new boyfriend.
They added that when her new boyfriend tried to talk to Griffin, he forced his way into the home and attacked the man.
The victim’s girlfriend told deputies she had been in a romantic relationship with Griffin, but it had ended, and he did not have permission to be at her home.
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She went on to say that she saw Griffin strike her new boyfriend several times, adding that she tried to stop the attack to no avail.
Deputies interviewed the victim at the hospital after he was examined and treated by medical staff.
Thomas Griffin mugshot courtesy of the Polk County Sheriff's Office.
According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, he told deputies that Griffin grabbed him by the throat, cutting off his ability to breathe, and pinned him against a wall. He also told them that Griffin had punched him in the face several times, knocking out a tooth and causing him to bleed.
Deputies said they saw injuries to the victim’s face and arms and marks on his neck where Griffin had strangled him.
Investigators said Griffin ran away after the attack.
He was located on Tuesday and arrested. He has been charged with burglary with assault, false imprisonment and battery by strangulation.
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"The suspect forced his way into the home and violently attacked the victim," stated Sheriff Grady Judd. "As a teacher, hopefully a former teacher, Griffin holds a position of trust in our community—a trust that has been severely broken. School students should not be exposed to this kind of potential volatile behavior."
The woman’s child was also in the home during the altercation. Neither she nor her child were injured.
Griffin was a teacher at McLaughlin Middle School in Lake Wales.
According to Polk County Public Schools, Griffin has been placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
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