In her face: Collier sheriff's deputy charged with throwing yogurt at wife

A Collier County sheriff’s deputy who works in the jail found himself on the wrong side of the bars Thursday morning after he was arrested and accused of throwing a cup of yogurt at his wife’s face.

Cpl. Douglas S. Greene, 36, whose address was not released because he is a law enforcement officer, was charged with misdemeanor battery.

Miroslava Greene told a detective that she and her husband were in a yelling match while sitting on the couch on Thursday morning, according to an arrest report. Douglas Greene, who was holding a cup of yogurt, stood up as he continued yelling at his wife.

He then threw the cup of yogurt at her, striking her in the left side of her face, reports said.

Miroslava Greene got up from the couch and went into the kitchen. Douglas Greene followed her. When Miroslava Greene turned to face her husband, reports say he pushed her shoulder, causing her to stumble over a child’s toy chest and into a wall.

The couple’s 10-year-old daughter witnessed the entire encounter.

Miroslava called 911 from her cell phone, and left the phone under her pillow until deputies arrived. When a detective arrived around 10 a.m., he found yogurt stains on the couch, pillow, wall and in Miroslava Greene’s hair, reports said.

She also had a small abrasion on her cheek.

Greene was initially hired by the Sheriff’s Office in April 2004, and resigned in good standing in May 2008. He was rehired fewer than four months later, agency spokeswoman Karie Partington said.

In addition to the criminal investigation, the Sheriff’s Office’s Discipline and Appeals Committee is conducting an internal investigation.

“They make a recommendation to the sheriff,” Partington said, “The sheriff will make the decision regarding discipline.”

Connect with Ryan Mills at www.naplesnews.com/staff/ryan-mills/