MITCHELL – A West Baden Springs man was arrested on Saturday, July 19, 2025, following a physical altercation at the Holiday Drive-In in Mitchell. Joseph Faith, 21, of West Baden Springs, is facing charges of public intoxication, intimidation, and domestic battery.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Cody Grogan of the Mitchell Police Department, he and Officer Austin McKinley were dispatched to 1055 State Highway 37, the location of the Holiday Drive-In, at approximately 10:27 p.m. in response to a reported fight.
Upon arrival, officers made contact with several individuals. One reported that Joseph Faith began playing loud country music on a speaker during the Superman movie. Another person asked Faith to turn it off and be respectful.
But Faith then approached their vehicle, apologizing and attempting to shake one of the person’s hands. When that person refused and told Faith to return to his area, Faith allegedly became upset. The person told Faith to go back and watch the movie, but Faith refused to do so. The person then stood up, and Faith allegedly pushed him twice before throwing a punch. A physical altercation ensued, with both individuals going to the ground.
After they separated, Faith pushed a pregnant woman to approach the male victim a second time, stating he was “going to kill him.” The male victim then struck Faith again.
The male victim reported being struck in the eye and mouth, with officers observing redness on his right cheek and a small amount of blood on his lip. Three children were present in the rear of a vehicle, immediately adjacent to the altercation.
Joseph Faith admitted to playing the music and then attempting to apologize. He stated that after a verbal argument, the male victim stood up in his face, prompting him to shove him, which is when the male hit him. Faith said he then grabbed the male from behind and took him to the ground. Faith also admitted to being “tipsy” during his statement, and Officer Grogan noted a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.
Witnesses corroborated that Faith was playing music and was confronted by the male victim. They stated that Faith was stating to the male to hit him, and the male verbally refused before Faith allegedly pushed the male first, initiating the physical altercation.
Joseph Faith was arrested and remanded to the Lawrence County Jail.
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.
