Report of Domestic Violence Leads to Felony Arrest
By Will Johnson
Messenger Reporter
HOUSTON COUNTY – A Quinlan man is behind bars at the Houston County Jail after a witness saw him strike a female passenger multiple times as they were driving in Grapeland.
Johnny Eugene Smith, 39, was taken into custody and charged with continuous violence against a family member and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after he was observed committing the assault on the passenger on July 24.
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Houston County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies were requested to meet with a complainant in the lobby of the Houston County Justice Center in regards to an assault she had witnessed.
The complainant informed the deputies she was “… driving down North Market Street in Grapeland when she observed a man (Smith) and woman driving an orange colored jeep vehicle in front of her get into an altercation.”
The witness said she observed Smith hit the female passenger several times and added “… there was blood all over her face.”
After seeing the assault, the witness pulled over to assist the victim. When the Jeep came to a stop, the affidavit indicated the victim ran to the witness’ vehicle and got in. She requested the witness to take her to some apartments behind the Grapeland Café, where the victim lived.
Once she dropped the victim off at her residence, the witness traveled to the HCSO to report the assault. The deputies who took the statement then traveled to Grapeland to do a welfare check on the victim, the legal document reported.
When the deputies arrived at the location, they made contact “… with Smith and (the victim) and talked to each of them separately about the assault. Both denied any assault or altercations.”
During the questioning, the law enforcement officials also ran a background check on Smith and the victim where they learned Smith, as well as the victim, had warrants for their arrests.
The duo was transported to the Houston County Jail, but when deputies arrived at the jail, the victim complained that her hand was hurting adding she was in tremendous pain.
She was transported to the emergency room and while there, the victim told the deputies what had actually happened, the affidavit stated.
“She said that Smith accused her of looking at another man while they were driving and then he began to hit her multiple times with a closed fist inside of the vehicle. (The victim) said she put her left hand up to try and block his punches when he grabbed her left hand and fingers. He then began to split her hand between her middle finger and ring finger, causing it to split wide open for which (the victim) had to get seven stitches,” the affidavit indicated.
The victim went on to inform the deputies Smith was abusive to her on a regular basis and provided several examples of his brutality.
“She said that about two weeks ago, he threw a switchblade knife at her so hard, it went through her boot almost slicing through her pinky toe. (The victim) also said about five days ago, he stabbed her on her left leg with a stick, leaving a scar,” the affidavit stated.
Smith was booked into custody on charges continuous violence against a family member, a third degree felony, and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a second degree felony. He was also charged with two parole violations – one for harassment and the other for assaulting a public servant.
The victim was booked into custody on charges of possession of a controlled substance and one count of debit or credit card abuse.
Both Smith and the victim are still in custody. Smith has been “no-bonded” because of his parole violations.
Will Johnson may be contacted via e-mail at [email protected].