BEDFORD — A Bedford man was arrested late Saturday night after allegedly punching his future son-in-law following a misunderstanding sparked by an accidental pocket dial, according to court documents filed by the Bedford Police Department.
Ryan Dralle, 38, was taken into custody on July 25, 2026, and transported to the Lawrence County Jail on a preliminary charge of battery.
According to a probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Taylor Daugherty, officers were dispatched to a residence in the 1000 block of 18th Street around 11:17 p.m. regarding a physical battery that had just occurred. Callers reported that the suspect, identified as Dralle, had fled the scene in a white passenger car heading toward his home on Lincoln Avenue.
Upon arrival, officers met with the male complainant and several witnesses. The victim explained that while attending a housewarming party, he accidentally pocket-dialed Dralle, his soon-to-be father-in-law.
Shortly after, the victim received an upset phone call from his fiancé, who stated that her stepfather had overheard a background conversation during the pocket dial in which the victim allegedly called her a derogatory name. The male victim called Dralle back to explain the situation and could hear vehicle engines in the background, indicating Dralle was already en route to the party.
Witnesses and the victim reported that Dralle arrived at the back of the property, locking up his brakes and scattering gravel in the driveway before exiting his vehicle.
According to affidavits from the male victim and homeowner, Dralle immediately grabbed the male victim and his brother by their shirt collars and pinned them against a vehicle. After partygoers stepped in to separate them, the situation briefly calmed down.
However, following another brief verbal argument, Dralle told the male victim he was going to punch him in the face. When the victim replied, “You are not going to do nothing,” Dralle allegedly struck the male victim on the left side of his face and neck with a closed fist before speeding away. Officers noted a visible red mark on the male victim’s neck and reported experiencing pain from the strike.
Multiple witnesses on scene provided statements aligning with the sequence of events.
While officers were at the scene of the incident, Officer Sarah Haluda located Dralle at his residence on Lincoln Avenue.
According to the affidavit, Dralle admitted to officers that he had punched the male in the face because he was upset over the conversation he had overheard regarding his stepdaughter.
Dralle was read his Miranda rights, placed in handcuffs, and transported to the Lawrence County Jail. The male victim signed a battery affidavit and medical release form, and photos of his injuries were taken for evidence. Dralle was also officially served with a trespass warning barring him from returning to the 18th Street property.
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.
