The man who allegedly hit a local autistic man has been indicted.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Douglas P. Hesson, 47, of 24600 Route 4, Richwood, charging him with two counts of domestic violence, both felonies of the third-degree.
According to court documents, on June 15, Hesson was arguing with his girlfriend. The woman’s son, who is autistic tried to break up the argument.
“Douglas Hesson punched (the victim) on the left side of his head which caused swelling to occur,” according to court documents.
Court records indicate the punch was “without provocation” and caused swelling around the son’s eye. Records also indicate that Hesson hurt, or tried to hurt, the mother as well.
Hesson also told the son that he was 19-years-old, “and Mommy can’t protect him.”
Typically, domestic violence charges are filed a misdemeanor. However, once an individual has a prior domestic violence conviction, future domestic violence allegations are charged as felonies.
According to court documents, Hesson has at least two prior domestic violence convictions.
If convicted on the most recent charges, Hesson could face as many as 10 years in prison.
Also indicted was:
– Travis Cole, 29, of 55 Sumac Drive. Cole is charged with one count of domestic violence, a third-degree felony.
According to court documents, on March 15, Cole was in an argument with his girlfriend.
“He began to throw household items at her and then pushed her into her 12-year-old daughter,” according to court documents. “He turned back towards her and threw an encased hatchet at her, striking her in the back of her right arm.”
The woman told investigators she had pain in her ribs. She also had “multiple bruises on her arms and legs which were said to be from this incident as well as past incidents.”
According to court documents, Cole has at least two prior domestic violence convictions. If convicted on the new charge, Cole could face as many as five years in prison.
– Jeffrey George Nevers, 40, of Delaware. Nevers is charged with one count each of domestic violence and disrupting public services.
According to court documents, on April 1, Marysville Division of Police officers were dispatched to a home on London Avenue on an active domestic dispute. When officers arrived, the man, later identified as Nevers, had already left. The woman was “visibly upset,” according to court documents.
The woman told police that during an argument, Nevers had his hands around her, but stopped when she asked him to. She said Nevers hid her cell phone and broke her house phone when she said she was going to call for help.
Several witnesses told police that as the argument escalated, Nevers had attempted to hurt the woman, grabbing her from behind and “wrapping his arm around the front of her neck.”
A man at the home was able to pull Nevers off the woman.
According to court documents, the woman told police, “she felt that she was in danger during the altercation.”
Nevers has a prior domestic violence conviction. If convicted on the most recent charges, he could face as many as 36 months in prison.
– Jai Walley, 38, of 2029 Trophy Drive. Walley is charged with one count each of rape, gross sexual imposition and sexual battery.
According to court documents, on Jan. 20, Walley allegedly raped a child spending the night at his home. Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said the man was intoxicated at the time of the alleged rape.
Phillips said the Department of Job and Family Services was notified of the alleged incident and contacted the Marysville Division of Police.
If convicted, Walley could face more than 16 years in prison.