Alleged threats with knife, attack on girlfriend lead to charges for local man
A local man was arrested on felony and misdemeanor charges Sunday after allegedly attacking his live-in girlfriend and her son and threatening her with a knife.
Rickey Larry Curry Sr., 60, of 109 Harvard St., was taken into custody around 2:45 p.m. and charged with a felony count of first-degree aggravated assault on a family or household member, punishable by up to six years in prison, and misdemeanor counts of third-degree domestic battery and second-degree aggravated assault on a family or household member.
Curry was initially held on a zero bond, but was later released on a $3,000 bond after appearing Monday in Garland County District Court where a court order was issued barring him from contact with either victim. According to court records, Curry was previously arrested on April 6, 2021, in Jefferson County on felony charges of possession of a firearm by certain persons and theft by receiving of a firearm and is set to stand trial on those charges Sept. 20.
According to the affidavit on Sunday’s arrest, shortly before 2:30 p.m., Hot Springs police Officer 1st Class Joel Crook responded to the Harvard Street residence regarding a disturbance and found numerous people in the backyard.
Crook spoke to one man, identified as Curry, and noted he had several scratches on his face and elbow. Curry reportedly stated he and his girlfriend had been arguing over $180 they owed for rent. He said he had gone to sleep earlier and woke to find the $180 missing from his wallet and confronted his girlfriend about it.
He said an argument ensued and he began fighting with his girlfriend and her son. Officers spoke to the girlfriend who stated Curry had come into her bedroom “very angry” and accused her of stealing money. She said she told him she didn’t take the money and he began slapping her.
She said her son entered the room and Curry punched him in the face. She said Curry and her son began to fight and moved into the kitchen. She said she jumped on Curry’s back to get him off her son and during the struggle, Curry bit her right pinkie finger.
She said Curry fell to the floor and she and her son retreated to the living room. She alleges Curry then picked up a knife from the kitchen, came into the living room holding it and told her, “(Expletive)! I’ll kill you about my $180!”
She said she and her son ran into her bedroom and shut the door. She said Curry grabbed a wooden stick, but her son was able to get out of the house and call for police while she stayed in her bedroom.
The affidavit notes the son’s account of the incident was the same as his mother’s, with the exception of the order in which they entered the kitchen and then the living room. No injuries were visible on the son, but the girlfriend reportedly had a bite mark on her finger with a small amount of blood and was transported to National Park Medical Center.
Curry’s injuries were “deemed a result of self-defense” by the girlfriend and her son and he was taken into custody.