Man Arrested for Felony Battery After Altercation in Vehicle

PARAGOULD, Ark. – A man is facing a Class D felony charge after he was arrested following an incident in a vehicle that was observed by the Paragould Police Department.

On May 28, 2024, officers in Paragould noticed a gold GMC SUV traveling on Morgan Street. The probable cause affidavit noted the vehicle “slammed on its brakes and left a long skid mark on the road” and then “stayed stopped in the middle of the road.” The peculiar behavior prompted police to take a closer look and the officer got behind the vehicle. However, the vehicle was swerving in traffic left and right, so the officer conducted a traffic stop.

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Police made contact with a female driver and a male passenger. They noticed the female had a “shallow cut on the right side of her face near her cheek bone.” She stated it was from hitting her face on the steering wheel due to the car stopping violently.

The woman went on to tell police that she and the defendant had been fighting all day and they’re currently living out of their vehicle. She said the defendant had thrown her glass of tea and phone out the window and after that, she broke his phone. All of this had taken place earlier in the day.

Officers inquired as to what was happening just prior to t the traffic stop. The woman said the defendant wanted her to go to Goodwill to ask about a job but he became angry because she was driving the opposite direction. She advised that the defendant jerked the steering wheel so she slammed on the brakes and hit her head on the steering wheel. The defendant denied these allegations and said the vehicle’s brakes were malfunctioning.

Authorities learned the defendant had been previously arrested for third degree domestic battering in September, 2023, involving the same alleged victim. A.C.A. § 5-26-305 states that a battery arrest becomes a felony if the suspect previously committed battery within the past five years (see below).

Bobby J. Vallance, 43, of Paragould, was arrested for third degree domestic battering, a felony. Jail records also show a warrant for Vallance.

Judge Dan Stidham found probable cause to hold Vallance and set his bond at $10,000 cash only, with a no contact order for the victim.

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

A.C.A. § 5-26-305
Domestic battering in the third degree.
(a) A person commits domestic battering in the third degree if:
(1) With the purpose of causing physical injury to a family or household member, the
person causes physical injury to a family or household member;
(2) The person recklessly causes physical injury to a family or household member;
(3) The person negligently causes physical injury to a family or household member by
means of a deadly weapon; or
(4) The person purposely causes stupor, unconsciousness, or physical or mental
impairment or injury to a family or household member by administering to the family or
household member, without the family or household member’s consent, any drug or other
substance.
(b)
(1) Domestic battering in the third degree is a Class A misdemeanor.
(2) However, domestic battering in the third degree is a Class D felony if:
(B) The person committed one (1) or more of the following offenses within five (5)
years of the offense of domestic battering in the third degree:
(i) Domestic battering in the first degree, § 5-26-303;
(ii) Domestic battering in the second degree, § 5-26-304;
(iii) Domestic battering in the third degree;
(iv) Aggravated assault on a family or household member, § 5-26-306; or
(v) A violation of an equivalent penal law of this state or of another state or
foreign jurisdiction.