A domestic dispute that became physical resulted in prison time for a Jones County man who recently pled guilty to the charges alleged against him.
Joseph Lenn Bellflower was in Jones County Superior Court April 18 and received a sentence of 10 years for the charge of aggravated assault and 12 months for simple battery after entering a guilty plea to the charges. The counts are to run concurrently for a total of 10 years with the first three years to serve in prison. The defendant will receive credit for time served since his Sept. 15, 2021, arrest.
A report of Bellflower’s arrest by Jones County Sheriff’s Office Deputy John Kile stated that he responded to a call on Stirk Road in reference to a physical domestic altercation in progress. Kile said he was met by the complainant at the entrance of the road. The victim said she had been
The victim said she had been to dinner with Bellflower, and he started drinking. They stopped and bought more alcohol on the way back and then decided to make a fire. She said the argument started when she questioned him about messaging another girl. The complainant said
The complainant said Bellflower got in her car and left. The altercation began when he came back. The report stated the offender slapped a drink out of the complainant’s hand and struck her chest and face before starting to choke her.
The victim told Kile she apologized to Bellflower for upsetting him, and he finally calmed down. The deputy said he observed red marks on the complainant’s neck and face.
Kile said Deputy Thomas Sullivan arrived on the scene, and they proceeded to the scene of the altercation. He said Bellflower could be seen through the window, sleeping on the bed. Kile said he attempted to wake the suspect by knocking on the door. He said Sullivan continued to knock while he entered the residence.
When Bellflower woke up, the deputy asked him to come out on the porch. Kile said he asked Bellflower what had happened that evening. He eventually admitted going out to eat, having drinks and building a fire.
Bellflower said they got into an argument but denied putting hands on the complainant.
Kile asked Sullivan to go talk to the complainant again. When the deputy returned, he said her story had not changed.
Bellflower was placed under arrest and the victim’s injuries were photographed.
