Rachel Dove-Baldwin

Staff Writer

WILLIAMSON — Arrest warrants were obtained from Mingo County Magistrate Court for three defendants arrested on physical abuse related charges.

Eddie Dean Whitt Jr., of Matewan, was placed under arrest by Mingo County Sheriff’s Department (MCSD) Deputies M.A. Lendearo II and E. Williams on a charge of domestic battery, 2nd offense.

According to the criminal complaint, Whitt struck his wife (Sarah Ann Whitt) in the face during an argument. The officers observed the victim to have whelps, redness and swelling on the right side of her face and on her forehead. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the defendant had a prior conviction of domestic violence on April 5, 2007.

Whitt was arraigned before Magistrate Dee Sidebottom and was remanded to the custody of the Southwestern Regional Jail on a $2,000 bond.

Raymond M. Meade, 40, of Red Jacket, was taken into custody on 1 count each of domestic battery and domestic assault by West Virginia State Police (WVSP) Trooper C.A. Douglas. The complaint states that Miranda Meade, the wife of the defendant and victim in this case, was walking along County Route 6 in Red Jacket when her husband pulled alongside her in his vehicle and engaged her in a verbal dispute.

During the verbal altercation, the defendant acted as though he was going to drive away but instead, swerved his vehicle toward the victim and struck her in the lower leg area, knocking her to the ground. The incident was witnessed by several individuals. Meade then proceeded to flee the scene. The female suffered injuries and was transported by ambulance to an area hospital.

Meade was arrested and then arraigned by Magistrate Sidebottom and was sent to jail on a $2,000 bond.

Matthew Williamson, 28, of Delbarton, was arrested by WVSP Trooper D.M. Williamson on one felony count of child abuse resulting in injury after investigating allegations made by the mother of the child.

The defendant allegedly struck his daughter in the face, bruising her eye. The child also suffered a scratch to the neck, according to the complaint. When questioned as to what happened, the child told the trooper that the defendant was mad at her and struck her in the face. The trooper noted in his report that there was obvious injury to the child’s face.

Williamson was arraigned before Magistrate Pam Newsome and was released from custody after meeting the stipulations of his bond.