ZEPHYRHILLS

Prison guard accused of hitting girlfriend

A federal prison guard was arrested early Monday morning after authorities said he repeatedly struck his girlfriend during an argument.

Morgan Timothy Sowards, who works as a corrections officer at the Coleman Federal Correctional Complex in Sumter County, told police he did not touch his girlfriend, according to a Zephyrhills Police Department report. But the woman, who had children with Sowards, and other witnesses said Sowards struck her repeatedly in the face with an open hand and tore her pants during the argument, the report said.

Sowards, 42, was charged with domestic battery and taken to the Land O'Lakes jail, where he was released on his own recognizance. Information was not available Tuesday on his employment status.