Photo: Justin L. Willett
A Stone County man, 23-year-old Justin L. Willett of Pleasant Grove, has been arrested and charged with felony aggravated assault on a family or household member. The arrest and charge follow a report of Willett allegedly beating his girlfriend with a board and throwing a hammer at her.
According to the probable cause affidavit, the victim contacted law enforcement on the evening of Aug. 15. She told officers she and Willett had been together over two years and have a child together.
She said she and Willett had got into an altercation in her vehicle while driving from Mountain View to Pleasant Grove. She alleges Willett struck her in the face in the car, with their 2-year-old son witnessing the altercation.
The woman said she made Willett get out of the vehicle. He began walking, she picked him up, and they went home.
Once home, the couple reportedly began arguing. The victim said she was pushed and pinned against a wall. She said she picked up a board to defend herself, and Willett took it and began beating her with it.
AS she tried to get away, Willett is alleged to have picked up a hammer, throwing it at the woman and striking her in the leg. He then picked up the hammer and struck the victim in the head.
The woman said she was then placed in a chokehold, with Willett striking her in the side of her head with the end of the hammer. She said she broke loose from the hold, and Willett dropped the hammer.
She said as she was getting in her car to leave, Willett picked up the hammer and threw it, striking the side of the car with the child inside.
The victim traveled to the Stone County Sheriff’s Office to report the incident.
Sheriff Lance Bonds and two officers went to the residence along Arkansas Highway 14 East where the reported altercation occurred and apprehended Willett.
He is on parole, with an active search warrant on file.
Officers searched the residence, reporting locating droplets of blood on the floor and a board with a large amount of hair stuck to it. They also reported blood splatters on the wall.
Willett has one prior felony conviction and a domestic violence history dismissed out of Boone and Newton counties.
His bond was set at $25,000.
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