HS man arrested for felony battery for alleged attack on his girlfriend
A local man was arrested early Thursday on a felony battery charge for allegedly attacking his girlfriend over a period of several hours, punching her multiple times and choking her.
Demarquian Keshawn Sasser, 25, of 329 Cooper St., was taken into custody at his residence shortly before 7:30 a.m. on a charge of second-degree domestic battery, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Sasser was initially held on a zero bond, but appeared Friday in Garland County District where he pleaded not guilty to the charge and his bond was amended to $10,000 with a felony review hearing set for May 17.
As of Monday, he remained in custody. According to court records, he lists no prior felony history but was arrested in 2021 for misdemeanor counts of third-degree domestic battery and aggravated assault on a family or household member, which were both later withdrawn when the victims failed to appear in court.
According to the probable cause affidavit, around 7:15 a.m. Thursday, Hot Springs police Officer James Yerina responded to the Cooper Street residence regarding a battery and was told at the scene that the suspect was attempting to leave out the back.
Yerina spotted a man, later identified as Sasser, exiting the back gate and detained him at Taser point until other officers arrived and he was taken into custody without further incident.
Officers spoke to the female victim who stated her boyfriend, Sasser, had been hitting her since early that morning. She alleges he put his hands around her throat and choked her until she “almost passed out.”
It was noted the victim had “major swelling of her entire face,” and was complaining of jaw pain and a headache. She also had bite marks on her left wrist, red marks around her neck, and visible bruising on her arms, rib cage and back.
Sasser was taken to the Garland County Detention Center and booked in around 9 a.m.