Police: Pregnant Woman Choked, Threatened in Greene County Domestic Case

PARAGOULD, Ark. — A Greene County man was arrested after police said a pregnant woman reported being assaulted, threatened and forced into a vehicle during a domestic incident.

Johnny Culp, 30, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated assault on a family or household member, terroristic threatening and third-degree domestic battery against a pregnant victim, all Class D felonies. He also faces a misdemeanor count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.

According to a probable cause affidavit from the Paragould Police Department, officers responded June 27 to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office to speak with the woman. She told police she woke up to find Culp, her husband, scrolling through her phone and appearing irritated.

The woman reported that Culp began striking her in the face and choked her. She told police he then dragged her by the arm and wrist to his vehicle before throwing her inside. Her juvenile son was left alone in the home, according to the affidavit.

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The woman said Culp drove erratically with her in the vehicle and threatened to kill her. According to the affidavit, she said he also threatened to kill them both by crashing the vehicle and told her no one would find her.

North of Oak Grove, Culp allegedly threw the woman’s phone out of the vehicle, then turned around to retrieve it. When the vehicle stopped, the woman was able to flee, flag down a passing vehicle and get a ride to the Greene County Sheriff’s Office.

Police documented visible injuries to the woman’s wrist, arm, chest and neck, according to the affidavit. EMS evaluated her, and she told responders she was pregnant.

Officers later went with the woman to her residence to check on her juvenile son. After she gave officers permission to enter, Culp was taken into custody. The child told officers Culp pushed the woman down and slapped her, according to the affidavit.

During an interview with detectives after being advised of his rights, Culp reportedly said he did lay hands on the woman after going through her phone. When asked about threats, police said Culp stated he said things out of anger so she would be scared. He also reportedly admitted throwing her phone out of the vehicle.

The affidavit states Culp told detectives he knew the woman was pregnant, but said he did not know whether he believed her.

Bond was set at $150,000 cash or surety by Judge Curtis Hitt. Court records also listed an ankle monitor requirement, a no-contact order and a no-weapons provision.

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