A 35-year-old Solsberry man found himself behind bars on May 5 on felony domestic battery in the presence of a child less than 16 years of age as well as felony strangulation charges, and battery resulting in bodily injury charges following an incident that occurred while he was allegedly intoxicated.

Greene County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Camron Frye arrested Derrek Leevon Evans on charges of domestic battery in the presence of a child less than 16 years of age, a Level 6 Felony; two strangulation charges, both Level 6 Felonies; and battery resulting in bodily injury, a Class A Misdemeanor.

Deputy Frye responded to an active domestic situation on North Copper Branch Road. According to information provided by Greene County Dispatch, a caller stated her boyfriend had “put hands on her” while a child was present and she wanted him to leave the residence. Upon arrival at the residence, Deputy Frye met the caller in the front yard. She alleged her boyfriend – later identified as Evans – was drunk in the residence's basement with two other adults, a male and a female.

According to the probable cause affidavit prepared by Deputy Frye, the caller – who will further be identified as Victim 1 – said Evans went after her and her dad. She told Deputy Stanley, “he put his hands on me, he punched me in the face, all in front of my daughter.”

Victim 1 alleged Evans and two other adults were consuming alcoholic beverages and at around 8:50 p.m., she told Evans it was time to stop drinking and he became upset. She alleged Evans picked her up and body-slammed her onto a futon. According to the probable cause affidavit, Evans then got on top of the victim and placed her in a chokehold. She demonstrated this to Deputy Frye by placing her hand around her throat. When that event took place, the victim alleged she could barely breathe. Victim 1 alleged she and Evans’ two-year-old child was present during the incident. Deputy Frye wrote he observed a mark under her left eye which appeared to be from someone hitting her.

Deputy Frye entered the house and spoke with Victim 2. He alleged Evans was drunk and talking crazy. When asked what had happened, the victim alleged Evans had gotten violent. According to the probable cause affidavit, Deputy Frye observed a flesh abrasion on the victim’s right forearm. The victim said he obtained the injury while wrestling Evans during the altercation.

Victim 2 alleged he heard Evans and Victim 1 arguing, then heard Victim 1 yell for Evans to get off of her. When he heard Victim 1 crying, he said he went downstairs and tried to get between the two but alleged Evans tried to choke him out. According to the probable cause affidavit, Evans attempted to put Victim 2 in a chokehold.

When Evans came upstairs he, according to the probable cause affidavit, told Deputy Frye he was having a “psychotic break”, began emptying items from his pockets, and said he was going to jail. As he exited the residence, he stumbled and allegedly almost fell onto a bench on the porch. Deputy Frye asked him to sit and he refused, stating that he was going to jail.

Evans told Deputy Frye he was frustrated with recent events, family stresses, and his living situation, according to the probable cause affidavit. When asked if anything had gotten physical, he told Frye, “I don’t know man. I’m kinda drunk. I might have done something.” While en route to Greene County Jail, Evans alleged they were grabbing on him and he was trying to get them off of him. In regards to why this happened, he said it was because they didn’t like what he was saying.

He was transported to Greene County Jail where his bond was set at $16,000 surety with 10% cash allowed. He appeared in Greene Superior Court for an initial hearing on May 11.