A Paragould man is accused of choking a woman during a domestic dispute and threatening to kill her while brandishing a knife, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Greene County.

Police arrested 63-year-old Paul Edward Joiner Sr. following the incident, which reportedly occurred at a residence on Walnut Drive on September 14. District Judge Curtis Hitt found probable cause on Tuesday to charge Joiner with aggravated assault on a household or family member and first-degree terroristic threatening. Both charges are Class D felonies.

The incident came to the attention of the Paragould Police Department when an investigator with its VICE Unit, Blaine Cagle, responded to a domestic assault report. The affidavit states that the victim appeared visibly upset, with bruising observed on the right side of her neck.

The victim reportedly told police the disagreement started after she asked Joiner whether he had cut her vitamins into smaller pieces. The discussion escalated, with Joiner allegedly yelling obscenities, grabbing a kitchen knife, and pushing her into a doorway. She said Joiner then choked her while continuing to hold the knife and threatened to kill her. According to the victim, she feared for her life at that moment.

The affidavit states that after releasing her, Joiner told the victim not to call police. The victim contacted her daughter instead, who then alerted law enforcement.

During an interview with Investigator Cagle, the victim disclosed a prior unreported incident two weeks earlier. She alleged that Joiner became angry with her and dragged her through the house by her hair during that encounter.

Cagle also interviewed Joiner, who claimed the victim had been upset about her vitamins and began swinging at him. He stated he tried to leave, pushing her during the altercation, but denied choking her. Joiner suggested any bruising on her neck might have occurred when he pushed her. The investigator noted no injuries on Joiner during their conversation.

In the affidavit, Cagle concluded that there was probable cause to believe Joiner "purposely applied pressure" to the victim’s neck, impeding her ability to breathe, and made death threats with the intent to terrorize her.

Joiner is currently in custody at the Greene County Detention Center on a $75,000 bond and has been ordered to have no contact with the victim.

Authorities continue to investigate the matter.