Man accused of attack on his girlfriend
A Nashville, Ark., man was arrested Friday in Hempstead County for his alleged roles in attacking his pregnant girlfriend and assaulting a deputy afterward, according to officials. Patrick Vanwinkle, 29, was found in a cemetery and arrested on a domestic battery second-degree charge for allegedly attacking his pregnant girlfriend, Sheriff James Singleton said in a press release.
The arrest occurred about 7:15 p.m. Friday at the intersection of Hempstead County roads 54 and 52.
A deputy placed Vanwinkle in the back of the patrol unit and headed back to the residence on Hempstead 54 where the crime allegedly happened.
Vanwinkle reportedly spit through the wire mesh cage in the patrol unit, hitting the deputy on the right ear and right side of the neck, Singleton said.
While later traveling to the Hempstead County Detention Center, Vanwinkle became agitated. Vanwinkle verbally threatened the deputy and his family, stating “he was going to send him and his family to hell,” Singleton said.
“Patrick stated several times he would remember the deputy’s name and would be at his house once he was not incarcerated,” Singleton said.
Vanwinkle also allegedly said that once the deputy took the handcuffs off of him at the jail, he was going to hit the deputy in the face. Vanwinkle then said the deputy might die sooner than he thinks, Singleton said.
Upon arriving at the detention center, Vanwinkle calmed down and there was no further incident, Singleton said.
In addition to the initial domestic battery charge, Vanwinkle also faces charges of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, criminal mischief second-degree and terroristic threatening.
He is awaiting a first court appearance.