JOSHUA TREE MAN ACCUSED OF SPRAYING MACE INTO GIRLFRIEND’S FACE

A Joshua Tree man was arrested Tuesday, accused of spraying mace in his ex-girlfriend’s face. According to a Sheriff’s report, Johnny Fortner, 39, and his ex-girlfriend were arguing about 9:30 p.m. near Deer Trail and Highway 62 in Yucca Valley. When the woman attempted to leave, she said Fortner sprayed her in the eyes with pepper spray and then tried to drag her into his vehicle, but she was able to escape. Fortner had left the scene by the time deputies arrived, but he was later located at his residence in the 5800 block of Outpost Road in Joshua Tree. The report states Fortner admitted to owning pepper spray and that he had possibly sprayed his former girlfriend in the face. Johnny Fortner was arrested for investigation of assault with a chemical pepper spray, booked at the Morongo Basin Jail, with his bail set at $100,000.