Staff Report

Bradley E. Barnes

CLAYPOOL — A Claypool man was recently arrested for allegedly battering a woman and pointing a firearm at her to prevent her from leaving a residence.

Bradley E. Barnes, 39, 8689 S. Valentine Road, Claypool, is charged with criminal confinement, a level 3 felony; intimidation with a deadly weapon, a level 5 felony; and domestic battery resulting in moderate bodily injury and pointing a firearm, both level 6 felonies.

On Sept. 27, a Kosciusko County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a domestic complaint in Claypool. Upon arrival, the deputy spoke with Barnes, who was exhibiting signs of intoxication. Barnes also told the deputy he had consumed alcoholic beverages.

According to court documents, Barnes said he and a woman had a verbal altercation which turned physical when the woman placed her hands on Barnes while he was laying on a couch. Barnes said the woman pulled him off the couch by his mouth and dug her fingers into his skin. The deputy noticed dried blood around punctures near Barnes’ mouth.

Barnes fled from the woman, found his handgun, and pointed it at the woman, ordering her to leave. Barnes also said he threatened to shoot the woman.

The deputy called the woman, who said Barnes allegedly punched her in the eye, took out a handgun, pointed it at her head, and prevented her from leaving the scene. The woman was eventually able to escape and agreed to meet with the deputy so he could assess her injuries.

Upon meeting in-person, the woman said Barnes punched the left side of her face several times. The deputy noticed swelling, abrasions, and a contusion on the woman’s eye and cheekbone. He also noticed the woman had lacerations on her left arm, abrasions on her right knee, and abrasions around her neck resembling finger and hand marks.

The woman said she lost her breath for a very short time when Barnes choked her. During the physical fight, the woman attempted to choke Barnes from behind to try and stop him from attacking her. The woman said this was unsuccessful and she ended up with her hands on Barnes’ mouth and jaw area.

While she was leaving the scene, the woman recorded a video of Barnes verbally threatening to harm her.

The woman played the video, which showed Barnes falsifying his actions and causing 911 dispatchers to provide false information to law enforcement. In the video, Barnes pointed a handgun at the woman and said he was being attacked, even though he was pointing a firearm at the woman.

The woman also asked Barnes multiple times to put the gun down so she could safely leave.

Barnes was booked in the Kosciusko County Jail on Sept. 27.