An Athens County Commissioner, plagued by multiple criminal charges and jail time during the last two years, has been charged with domestic violence in an new incident where he has been accused of head-butting his niece whilst the two were engaged in a “heated argument”, as reported by The Athens News.
M.S. has maintained his innocence, stating that he is “100 percent completely not guilty” to the charge of domestic violence.
During the last two years M.S. has been charged three times with misdemeanor criminal offenses and twice served time in jail. He was also embroiled in a domestic violence dispute and divorce from his wife, T.S., – who has additionally accused M.S. of maintaining a marijuana farming enterprise in their former Millfield home.
After splitting from T.S., M.S. had moved into his mother’s home – which is also occupied by his niece – when he was arrested by Nelsonville Police on January 10 for domestic violence.
T.S. had also accused M.S. of domestic violence. In that case M.S. plead guilty last July to persistent disorderly conduct, fined $250 and ordered 25 days of community service. He was also ordered to complete a domestic violence intervention program.
M.S. allegedly admitted to police that she was the one that started the fight, but, as she was also the one with evidence of injury, M.S. was the only one charged for domestic violence.
The couple was granted an uncontested divorce this past November by a magistrate.
T.S. supported her former husband in his bid for re-election to the county commission. She told reporters, “(M.S.) one heck of a commissioner – you can quote that.”
T.S. also defended M.S.’s alleged actions in the current domestic abuse charges. She said that the couple’s two minor children were present during the incident and expressed to her that they didn’t believe that their father attacked his niece. T.S. said, “I don't think (this incident) is as bad – believe it or not – as it's being made out to be.”
After M.S.’s arrest he was remanded to the Nelsonville regional jail. His initial appearance was via teleconference in the Athens County Municipal Court on January 11. He has been charged with first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence.
Judge William A. Grim warned M.S. that if this offense warrants a conviction it will be a “precursor” offense – and a future domestic violence offense could be treated as a felony charge.
In the latest incident two officers from the Nelsonville Police department arrived at the family home after receiving a domestic call. S.S., M.S.’s niece, allegedly told officers that “she and her uncle (M.S.) got into a heated argument and Mark head-butted her in the face causing a fat lip.”
Another woman present at the scene also told the police an accounting of the incident that “reflected” as the same as S.S.’s.
M.S. told officers that instead of what S.S. had reported “he was trying to leave and (S.S.) ran into him.”
Judge Grim released M.S. on his own signature and promise to return to court for the pre-trial on February 3. Grim also ordered M.S. to have zero contact with his niece while the case is pending.
M.S. was ordered to move out of his mother’s home and find a new place to reside.
Charges of domestic violence are best argued in court by a family law attorney that specializes in these types of cases. You can contact a family law attorney by clicking on our directory.