Man Arrested for Felony Battery in Domestic Incident from Paragould

PARAGOULD, Ark. – A man faces a charge of felony battery after an alleged domestic violence incident in Paragould.

On April 30, 2024, Paragould officers responded to a home on Fairview Road in reference to a domestic violence situation, the probable cause affidavit explains. Officers arrived and were told by a witness the male defendant was inside beating a female. Officers actually heard the female scream “Help,” the affidavit says, and they entered the residence.

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When officers made entry, they heard what they described as a “female gagging.” They found the defendant on top of the woman with his hands raised back. Officers shouted commands that fortunately stopped the situation without any further violence. The defendant complied and was placed in handcuffs.

The affidavit goes on to say the female told police the defendant became irate and hit her in the face and head multiple times with a closed fist after she confronted him about cheating. The female said when the officer announced his presence, the defendant stuck his fingers in her mouth and started “gagging” her.

Police noted the woman had a large knot on the left side of her face. She was bleeding from her bottom lip and her face had begun turning blue. She also told police she was having trouble breathing. EMS was dispatched to the scene.

During a lethality assessment, the woman said the defendant had choked her until she lost consciousness on the day before.

The witness on the scene spoke to police and told them she had seen the defendant grab the female victim by the throat, push her into a wall, and slap her. The witness advised at the time, she grabbed the defendant/victim’s minor child, went outside, and called 911.

The witness also said the defendant beats the victim regularly.

The defendant was previously convicted of third degree domestic battering in relation to an incident that occurred in March, 2022, the affidavit said.

Anthony Priggett, 20, of Paragould, was arrested on a felony charge of third degree domestic battering. Bond was set at $10,000 cash only and a no contact order was issued for the victim.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.