A Hot Springs man was arrested on a felony battery charge after allegedly attacking his wife in the parking lot of Walmart Wednesday, choking her and punching her in the stomach.
Michael Guy Fowler, 57, who lists a Hudson Street address, was taken into custody shortly before 2 p.m. at Walmart, 4019 Central Ave., and charged with second-degree domestic battery, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Fowler, who lists no prior felony history, remained in custody Thursday on a zero bond and is set to appear today in Garland County District Court. According to court records, he pleaded no contest on Nov. 30, 2023, to misdemeanor charges of criminal mischief and two counts of first-degree assault and was sentenced to one year of probation.
According to the probable cause affidavit, Hot Springs police Officer Ryan Hanley responded to the store regarding a disturbance and made contact with the victim and her husband, identified as Fowler.
The woman alleged that Fowler attacked her after an argument between them while inside her vehicle in the Walmart parking lot. She alleges Fowler struck her in the face and then grabbed her by the neck and prevented her from breathing by applying pressure on both sides of her neck for about 30 seconds.
She said he then pushed her face into the dash of the car and punched her in the stomach several times.
Hanley notes he observed visible physical injuries to the victim's face, neck and mouth. He noted her face had "a slight redness," consistent with her statement she was struck, and she had "fresh blood" coming from her mouth, consistent with her statement she had bit her tongue during the assault.
She also reportedly had red marks and fresh scratches on the sides of her neck that were "actively bleeding," consistent with her statement of being choked.
Fowler was taken into custody at the scene without incident and transported to the detention center.