LAWRENCE CO. – A Bloomington man was arrested Friday, April 25th, following an alleged battery incident at a recovery facility. According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy Travis Atchison, Joseph Jewell, 19, was taken into custody and faces a charge of battery with moderate bodily injury.
The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department received a report from the facility stating that a resident had been the victim of a battery. Deputy Atchison was assigned to the case and responded to the facility to gather information. Before his arrival, he was informed that the male victim had been taken to IU Health Bedford Hospital for treatment of non-emergent injuries.
At the facility, Deputy Atchison spoke with the owner, who stated that a physical altercation had occurred between two residents. He reported that during a group meeting, Jewell became aggressive and was yelling. When the male victim stood up in an attempt to calm Jewell down, Jewell allegedly walked up to him and shoved him down.
According to the owner, once the male victim stood up again, Jewell began hitting him in the head multiple times, causing injury. A staff member also indicated that a witness who tried to intervene was briefly involved.
Deputy Atchison spoke with another male witness, who stated that he was in the room next door when the altercation occurred. He reported hearing the commotion and entering the room to break up the fight between Jewell and the victim. While doing so, he alleged that Jewell struck him on the left side of his face and caused a small cut on his left arm.
Jewell was arrested at the scene and transported to the Lawrence County Jail.
Deputy Atchison then went to IU Health Bedford to obtain a statement from the male victim. However, hospital staff informed him that the male was suffering from a possible concussion or stroke and was in an altered state, making it impossible to get a statement at that time.
All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on the information provided in the Probable Cause Affidavit and does not represent a final determination of guilt or innocence.
