A Salem man was arrested following reports of a physical altercation. Fifty-four-year-old Benjamin LaValley is facing charges of terroristic threatening, domestic battery, endangering the welfare of a minor and violating a no-contact order.
According to the probable cause affidavit, on May 30, a female driving in the area notified a Cotter Police officer of a reckless driver along Denton Ferry Road. She told authorities she had been driving behind a vehicle driven by the suspect, later identified as LaValley, when he got into an altercation with another woman and drove off.
While on the phone, authorities could hear what sounded like a physical altercation taking place where LaValley was making threats and yelling at the victim. Officers reported a 15-year-old boy was also present during the altercation. LaValley allegedly yelled at the boy to get back into the car and to help him get the victim in the vehicle. Officers observed the boy distressed.
During the altercation, the victim was able to flee the scene and meet up with a Gassville unit standing by until LaValley was located. County units apprehended LaValley on U.S. Highway 62/412 W. near Big Creek.
Investigators visited the victim’s residence in Marion County to discuss the altercation. Both women stated LaValley had made death threats to both of them before driving off. At some point between Cotter Springs and the intersection of U.S. Hwy 62 and Denton Ferry Road, LaValley allegedly punched one of the victims in the back of the head and slammed her head into the dash of the vehicle before she jumped out. Officers observed the victim to have two black eyes, bruising on her forehead with a knot protruding out, and red marks on her neck, which she stated LaValley had grabbed.
LaValley was booked into the Baxter County Detention Center and is facing one felony count of terroristic threatening, one felony count of domestic battery, one misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a minor and one misdemeanor count of violating a no-contact order. He was released on a $25,000 bond.
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