A 50-year-old Solsberry man found himself behind bars on June 17 after allegedly choking his ex-wife in the presence of three children under 16. 

Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Travis Hasler arrested William Gillis Arney on charges of domestic battery in the presence of a child less than 16 years of age and strangulation. 

When Deputies Hasler and James Carpenter arrived on the scene, the victim, who had called 911, approached the officers with blood on her neck, a scratch bleeding on her left thumb, and a red neck. 

The victim said she went to the residence to collect some of her belongings. According to the probable cause affidavit, she is the sole owner of the home. She told the officers she began to walk to the home's bedroom and Arney told her to get out of the house, claiming it was his. When she walked further toward the bedroom, she alleged Arney walked up behind her, placing his arms around her body. She said she grabbed the doorknob as Arney pulled her backward. The victim alleged Arney told her to get out of the residence or he would drag her out. During this time, the victim said she fell to the floor while Arney was pulling her backward, causing his arms to move from around her body to around her neck. She alleged he continued to choke her, resulting in restriction in her throat. According to the probable cause affidavit, this occurred in the presence of three children. 

According to the probable cause affidavit, she said she left the residence after he stopped choking her and got inside her vehicle. While in the vehicle, she alleged Arney began beating on the window as she called dispatch.

During further questioning with the victim while officers photographed her injuries, she alleged that when Arney choked her, he crossed his arms across her throat and applied pressure while he was on top of her. According to the probable cause, she said Arney told her she was going to leave or he was going to wait until she passed out and he would drag her out. 

The officers then went to talk with Arney and noticed he had vertical scratches under his eyes. When asked if he was injured, Arney denied and was unable to tell officers how he got the scratches on his face. While talking with Arney, according to the probable cause, Deputy Hasler noted an odor of alcohol could be detected from Arney’s breath. A portable blood test returned a result of .21. 

Arney told the officers that when the victim entered the residence, he asked what she was doing there. He allegedly told her to leave three times, claiming it was his property. Arney said the victim alleged it was her property and she wanted to get items belonging to her. Arney did inform officers she had not been living in the residence for four months while he’d been living there for three months. 

According to the probable cause affidavit, Arney admitted pulling her to the ground as he told her to leave the residence. He also allegedly admitted to putting his arm around her head. 

Arney was transported to Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $8,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. 

He appeared in Greene Superior Court on June 20. He is facing charges of domestic battery in the presence of a child less than 16 years old and strangulation, both of which are Level 6 Felonies.