• Jacob L. McMahon, 43, of Newton was charged with assault causing bodily injury or mental illness for an incident that took place Sept. 26 in a local residence. At approximately 1:30 a.m., Newton Police Department was dispatched to the 400 block of West Eighth Street South for a possible assault. Officers meet with the victim and McMahon upon arrival. After interviewing both parties and having medical staff inspect the victim’s injuries. Officers were able to conclude the victim got into a verbal argument with McMahon leading into an assault. Police records allege McMahon assaulted the victim by grabbing them by their hair, leaving them with a 1.25-inch bump on the victim’s head. Some of the hair was removed in that area, too. McMahon was taken into custody at the Jasper County Jail.
• Matthew E. Daniel, 31, of Newton was charged with interference with official acts when he allegedly refused to acknowledge an officer’s request after being pulled over at 2:10 a.m. Sept. 25 near the 1000 block of First Avenue East. The officer pulled over Daniel for an inoperable brake lamp. The traffic stop was conducted by a fully uniformed officer in a marked patrol car with emergency light activated. Daniel pulled into the gas station and began to walk away.The officer asked Daniel to remain by the vehicle, but according to police reports he declined to stay and attempted to walk away. Daniel refused to provide a license, registration card and proof of insurance when requested. Daniel was cited and summoned to appear in court.
• Dalton R. Lakin, 29, of Newton was charged with domestic abuse after allegedly strangling a pregnant woman for several seconds at approximately 4:44 a.m. Sept. 26 in the parking lot of a convenience store near the 1800 block of South 12th Avenue West in Newton. Officers were dispatched to the scene and found the victim had marks and scratches on her neck consistent with strangulation. The victim’s cellphone was also taken by Lakin. The victim requested a no-contact order. Lakin was taken into custody at the Jasper County Jail.
• James M. Fallon, 54, of Newton was charged with domestic abuse for allegedly striking a woman in the face and knocking her glasses off at approximately 2 p.m. Aug. 29 in a parking lot of a rental storage facility near the 1700 block of First Avenue West. The victim and Fallon were in an argument. Deputies from the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office spoke with Fallon, who admitted to swinging at the victim and hitting her glasses, causing a red mark. Fallon was taken into custody.
• Jason T. Purtilo, 38, of Newton was charged with third-degree burglary for an incident that occurred Sept. 21 in restaurant near the 2000 block of First Avenue East. Officers of the Newton Police Department acquired a video of Purtilo walking into the restaurant. Owners advised him he was not supposed to be in there. Purtilo allegedly messed with food and products while inside and stabbed a knife through a bowl into the counter, causing damages. The owners advised officers the total amount of product lost and damages to the property totaled $400 and that they would like to press charges. Purtilo has since been taken into custody at the Jasper County Jail.
• Romell L. Cochran, 32, of newton was charged with driving while barred at approximately 8:15 p.m. Sept. 29 along East 14th Street South. Newton Police observed a vehicle traveling west on the 1600 block of South 13th Avenue East going 37 mph in a 25 mph zone. Officers pulled the vehicle over. Cochran told police officers he was barred from driving and did not have a license. Cochran was then taken into custody.