WILLIAMS — A New Year’s Eve discussion about college football turned violent on Wednesday night, resulting in the arrest of a Williams man for allegedly attacking his father.
Jeremy Michael Faris, 38, was booked into the Lawrence County Jail on a preliminary charge of domestic battery following a physical altercation at a residence on Twin Ponds Road.
The incident began around 10:00 p.m. when a female fled her home to find cellular service, eventually calling 911 from a Speedway gas station. She reported to Lawrence County Dispatch that Jeremy Faris was intoxicated and engaged in a physical fight with the caller’s husband.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Captain Harrison Fleetwood, the conflict started after the victim spoke with Jeremy in the garage about NCAA college football brackets and the Indiana University football game. The female who called the police, who wears a hearing aid, noted that the victim had been speaking very loudly. When the victim later apologized to Faris for the volume of his voice, Faris reportedly became “aggravated” and “angry.”
The male victim told investigators that after the apology, Faris got into his face, began pushing and slapping him, and followed him as he tried to retreat upstairs. The victim alleged that Faris pushed him down, kicked him, and eventually struck him in the nose in the kitchen.
Upon arrival, Captain Fleetwood, Sergeant Whitney Daugherty, and Sheriff Greg Day found the male victim with a knot on the side of his head, a bleeding nose, and markings around his neck. Despite the visible injuries, the victim told officers he did not wish to pursue criminal charges against Faris.
Under Indiana law, officers proceeded with the arrest due to the physical evidence of battery. Captain Fleetwood explained to the family that the observed injuries required Faris to be taken into custody regardless of the victim’s desire to press charges.
Jeremy Faris reportedly admitted to officers that an argument had occurred and had “become physical,” though he declined to provide further details. Officers noted blood on the back of his shirt but found no visible injuries on his person.
The male victim was evaluated on-scene by an IU Health ambulance crew.
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.
