Man accused of slicing ex-girlfriend's throat outside Holiday strip club

HOLIDAY — At a strip club a few hours before dawn Wednesday, a man sliced his ex-girlfriend's throat with a pocketknife and then pummeled her face with his fists, according to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office.

Michael Dane Smith, 22, of 4123 Grand Blvd. in New Port Richey, is charged with aggravated battery and possession of drug paraphernalia. The incident happened at 4:42 a.m. at Diamonds, 3935 Grand Blvd. in Holiday. The victim's injury wasn't life-threatening, said sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll. A report said the cut was 3 to 4 inches across the front of her neck.

Deputies found needles and a spoon with remnants of a "burnt substance" on Smith when he was arrested, the report states.

Smith was being held without bail Thursday in the Land O'Lakes jail.