A Midway man alleged to have ingested a quantity of methamphetamine after police located him while investigating a domestic altercation in which he was allegedly involved pled guilty to charges against him during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court Thursday.
Fifty-six-year-old Charles Bazata Jr. was charged with third-degree domestic battery and possession of methamphetamine stemming from an incident in mid-September last year. He was sentenced to three years probation by Circuit Judge Gordon Webb.
A female who was identified as Bazata’s girlfriend reported she came to Mountain Home with Bazata who wanted to “buy some dope.” The woman said Bazata dropped her off at a grocery store and returned about 30 minutes later to pick her up.
The girlfriend said as they drove through Mountain Home, an argument broke out, and she kicked the dashboard of the vehicle. She told police Bazata grabbed her by the head and — using his mouth — ripped out a handful of hair from her head. Police said she was holding the hair, when they questioned her.
The woman also told police Bazata hit her several times in the face with his fist. According to the probable cause affidavit, Bazata stopped the vehicle when the woman said she was calling the police. She said Bazata jumped out of the car and ran.
Police located him at an auto shop along Arkansas Highway 5 North. They found methamphetamine identified as belonging to Bazata in a plastic bag.
Bazata was reported to have told the police he had ingested an ounce of the drug. He was taken to Baxter Regional Medical Center, treated in the ER and held overnight for observation guarded by a Baxter County deputy sheriff.
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