WACO, Texas (KWTX) – A 26-year-old Elm Mott man was arrested Saturday after deputies with the McLennan County Sheriff’s Office said he assaulted and strangled his ex-girlfriend, leaving her with a broken nose and cracked teeth.
William Hayes, Jr., 26, is charged with aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury, tampering with physical evidence and assault-family violence-strangulation, according to online jail records.
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, deputies were dispatched April 4 to a gas station at 135 S. McLennan Drive in Elm Mott, Texas, for a report of an assault that had just occurred.
The victim was taken by ambulance to a hospital because of the extent of her injuries, which deputies said were later determined to include a broken nose and cracked teeth. The affidavit states there was blood throughout the victim’s vehicle, which she drove to the gas station.
Deputies said the victim identified the suspect as Hayes and told investigators he had assaulted her, “choked her,” and covered her mouth. The affidavit states the two had previously dated and that the victim went to Hayes’ home earlier that morning.
Deputies later located Hayes at his residence in the 100 block of Pepper Lane in Elm Mott, the affidavit states. A deputy noted what appeared to be blood on the back of Hayes’ shorts, according to the report. After being read his Miranda rights, Hayes told deputies the blood was from driving trucks, the affidavit states, and he confirmed the victim had been at the home that morning, but “not for long.”
Hayes was arrested and taken to the McLennan County Jail.
At the jail, deputies told staff they intended to seize Hayes’ clothing as evidence. The affidavit states jail staff reported Hayes had removed his shorts and placed them in a toilet, which deputies described as an attempt to destroy evidence.
Hayes is being held on bonds totaling $26,000.
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