An Andalusia man is facing domestic violence charges after allegedly attempting to strangle his girlfriend recently.

Covington County Sheriff Department Investigator Wesley Snodgrass said Wednesday the victim, a 21-year-old female, suffered from several apparent injuries to her face and torso and obvious finger marks were visible on her throat.

The injuries were the result of a domestic incident between the victim and her boyfriend and occurred on Zell Ready Road outside of Andalusia on Fri., Sept. 19.

Deputies located Joshua Eric Davis, 21, of Andalusia on Zell Ready Road.

The victim told investigators she tried to leave the residence, but the defendant attempted to prevent her from leaving and caused damage to a vehicle for which the victim was a passenger.

Davis was taken into custody and charged with domestic violence by strangulation or suffocation, a class B felony, which carries a $100,000 bond; domestic violence third degree, a class A misdemeanor, which carries a $3,000 bond; criminal mischief second degree, a class A misdemeanor, which carries a $3,000 bond; and violation of probation which has no bond.

As of press time, Davis was still being held in the Covington County Jail.

If convicted, Davis faces no less than two years and no more than 20 years in prison for the class B felony, and no more than one year for each of the misdemeanor offences.

Covington County Sheriff Dennis Meeks said Wednesday that domestic violence seems to be a growing problem in the county.

“It is always a bad situation when it’s between family members,” he said. “There is nothing worse than when a man cannot control his emotions enough that he has to beat or strangle a female.”

Meeks said the sheriff’s office will work diligently with the DA’s office that cases like Davis’ be prosecuted to the fullest.