A 35-year-old Linton man was arrested Aug. 19 following an incident involving domestic battery in the presence of a child less than 16-year-old. He was later arrested Sept. 8 on a warrant issued on a petition to revoke bond in a case involving misdemeanor criminal trespassing from June 2022.

Greene County Sheriff’s Department Sergeant Jordan Allor responded to an incident in the late evening hours of Aug. 18 where a male subject, later identified as Ren Barton, was standing in the yard near a tent. Sgt. Allor said he needed to speak with Barton; however, Barton told him to go away and proceeded to walk away from the officer. According to the probable cause affidavit, Barton yelled at Allor for being at the residence. Allor said Barton was sweating profusely even though it was 66 degrees outside, had erratic behavior, and was emotionally upset.

When Barton calmed down, Allor said, he asked him what had happened. He allegedly told Allor he and the victim were having a bad day and when a witness arrived home at the residence, they got into an argument. He said the victim began walking down the road and the witness tried to stop her; however, Barton told the witness to let her go. 

Barton said when the victim tries to leave, she has nowhere to go, so he tells her to stop and listen. When asked if things ever get physical between the two, Barton replied no. He told Allor they were yelling and screaming in each other’s face. He said the victim allegedly shoved him and they got into it. 

Barton said everything was OK until the witness arrived at the residence and began “running their mouth”, making the situation worse. 

While Allor was speaking with Barton, Linton Police Officer Cayden Walker and Jasonville Police Officer Skylar Scott located the victim walking on County Road 400 North. 

The victim told the officers Barton grabbed her by the neck. Barton heard the radio traffic and told Allor it was not true. He told Allor, “Sir, I did not grab her. We have fought, yes. Me and her have had some knock down drag outs, but it wasn’t tonight.”

Barton said the victim was lying in the yard facing the ground because she could not breathe. He said he knelt beside her and placed his hands beside her. He said she rolled over and he was still over her with his hands on each side of her. Allor said he then allegedly changed the subject by saying all he wanted to do was go to bed. He then said he would not lay a hand on a woman and has beaten people up for laying their hands on women. He claimed he was the one whose neck was grabbed. 

When asked again why the victim was lying on the ground, Barton said they were arguing, it was hot, and she ran out of breath. He said she was a smoker  Ren then said he is smoker and knelt on the ground because she couldn’t breathe. He said he went to pick the victim up and she flipped over and he fell down on top of her. He said he did not grab her around the neck. 

Allor asked the victim what happened when she was lying on the ground. She said she was knelt down facing the ground and Barton was knelt beside her. She said Barton pulled her to the ground and placed his hand on her throat because she was crying. She said someone, she wasn’t sure who, came over and tried to stop him. The witness, she said. Helped her off the ground, and once she was off the ground, Barton began yelling, saying he did not touch her. When asked what it felt like when Barton grabbed her by the neck, she told Allor “not good”. She said she could not breathe and kept gasping for air and pushing him away. 

Barton was preliminary charged with domestic battery in the presence of a child less than 16-year-old, a Level 6 Felony. His bond was set at $4,000 surety with 10 percent cash allowed. He was later released after posting $400 bond. 

He is currently being held without bond on the petition to revoke bond case involving misdemeanor criminal trespassing from June 2022.