Former Ray Elijah Dukes arrested again

TAMPA - Former Tampa Bay Rays player Elijah Dukes was arrested Wednesday on a charge of aggravated battery.

According to a Hillsborough Sheriff's deputy's report, the victim was a pregnant woman staying with Dukes at the East Lake Inn Motel at 6539 East Hillsborough Avenue for several days.

In the report, the woman claims Dukes is the baby's father, and the two of them got into an argument, when he slapped her several times.

Dukes left and went to his mother's home on Royal Banyan drive in Tampa where he was arrested.

Linda Osmundson, Executive Director of CASA in St. Petersburg, says allegations of a man hitting a pregnant woman is sadly not shocking.

We've had people in our shelter all the time who have children who are born while in shelter, who bring small children with them," Osmundson said.

Osmundson says she's also not shocked Dukes has prior domestic violence charges on his record.

"Changing that world view isn't any easier than changing somebody who has a particular religious value or a value about something else. It's tough," Osmundson said.

Dukes is charged with aggravated battery on a pregnant female. He had two outstanding warrants as well, including driving with a suspended license and contempt of court.

Dukes has been arrested numerous times over the past ten years on a variety of charges.

He was booked into the Orient Road Jail around 1 p.m. His first court appearance was Thursday morning.

Dukes was drafted by the Rays in 2002. He was traded to the Washington Nationals in 2007. He was released by the Nationals in 2010.