Staff Report

PIERCETON — A Michigan man was arrested following a domestic battery incident in a residence where children were present.

Damon Tyrone Goins

 Damon Tyrone Goins, 46, 985 Woods Edge Drive, Niles, Mich., is charged with domestic battery resulting in serious bodily injury, a level 5 felony; domestic battery with a child under 16 present, a level 6 felony; strangulation, a level 6 felony; intimidation, a level 6 felony; domestic battery, a class A misdemeanor; and resisting law enforcement, a class A misdemeanor.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, on July 6, a Pierceton Police officer was dispatched to a location in Kosciusko County in reference to a physical altercation. 

Upon arrival, the officer spoke with a juvenile at the scene who said Goins was choking a woman and had thrown an object at her.

The officer announced his presence at the residence. After some time, the front door opened and a woman began attempting to exit the residence however, Goins was trying to keep her from leaving.

The woman was crying hysterically and visibly shaking, according to the police report. 

Goins was ordered away from the woman and she was placed in a police vehicle for her safety. The woman said Goins had choked her and hit her and she was in fear for her life.

The officer went to speak with Goins, who was pacing and saying he was not going back to jail. Goins admitted to hitting the woman with her cell phone during an argument.

The officer began to place handcuffs on Goins, but Goins fled on foot.

Goins returned to the scene and asked the woman to open the window to the police vehicle. Additional officers arrived on scene, and Goins again fled on foot.

Officers followed him and Goins eventually stopped and was placed under arrest. He complained of difficulty breathing so EMS personnel were requested on scene.

The woman told police that she and Goins were in a verbal argument. During the argument, Goins allegedly began striking her with an open hand. He then took her phone and threw it at her, striking her in the elbow. The woman said Goins placed his hands on her throat, making it difficult for her to breathe and causing her to lose consciousness. 

During the altercation, Goins allegedly told the woman he was going to kill her. 

There were visible marks on the woman’s neck as well as swelling on her arm. She was taken to Parkview Hospital for her injuries.

Goins was booked at the Kosciusko County Jail July 6 on a $6,000 surety and cash bond.