PUTNAM COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A domestic disturbance call early Friday morning led to the arrest of a Winfield man on charges of domestic battery and strangulation.
At 7:29 a.m., Deputy A.C. Walters responded to a reported domestic dispute. Upon arrival, the deputy encountered Timothy James Drafton walking away from the residence. Drafton had a visible injury, including a busted lip, and stated that his girlfriend of seven months had struck him after finding pictures on his phone that upset her. Drafton denied hitting or restraining the female.
Conflicting Accounts
When interviewed, the female victim provided a different account. She admitted confronting Drafton over the photos and asking him to delete them. She claimed that Drafton became irate, grabbed her out of bed, and demanded they talk. When she refused and asked him to leave her room, she alleged that Drafton became aggressive, holding her down by her throat and restraining her.
The victim said she was in fear for her life and experienced nausea and vision impairment during the alleged strangulation. She also reported that Drafton hit her during the altercation. Deputies observed visible scratches, bruising, and a wound on her neck, as well as bruising on her face.
She stated that she struck Drafton in the mouth to escape his restraint.
Arrest and Charges
Drafton was placed under arrest at the scene and charged with domestic battery and strangulation. He was transported to the Putnam County Judicial Building, where he was read his Miranda rights and provided a statement. During processing, Drafton reportedly stated in a phone call, “She was hitting me, so I had to restrain her.”
