By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

PIERCETON — A man faces charges in two separate battery cases, one allegedly involving strangulation.

Wesley Smith

Wesley Smith, 20, 27 Pequignot Drive, Pierceton, is charged with battery, a class B misdemeanor; battery causing serious bodily injury, a level 5 felony; and strangulation, a level 6 felony.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on May 20, an officer with the Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office responded to report of a battery. 

While investigating the case, the officer learned that a second incident involving Smith had occurred the previous day.

The officer spoke with a man who said he was walking around the woods when Smith came up behind him and placed his arm around his neck, putting him in a chokehold. The man said he was unable to breathe and lost consciousness. 

Smith admitted to placing the man in a chokehold but said he was not sure if the man lost consciousness. 

In the other incident, officers were dispatched to Pierceton Woods Academy in Pierceton to investigate another allegation of battery.

The staff supervisor said Smith struck him in the face with a speaker. The supervisor also said that Smith was running toward the facility and tackled him. 

Police spoke with Smith, who admitted throwing a speaker at the supervisor and said he did it because the supervisor was trying to take his music away. 

Court paperwork did not explain what Smith was doing at the Pierceton facility.

Smith was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail May 20 on a $600 cash bond.