A Marshall man has been arrested and charged after allegedly assaulting an older man working at a local church. Bobby James Martin, 36, is currently being held without bond in the Searcy County Jail on a felony charge of second-degree battery on a person over the age of 60.
According to a probable cause affidavit from the Marshall Police Department, the victim and his wife went to the Church of the Nazarene to complete some work when they noticed Martin sitting on a bench. Concerned, the victim reportedly checked on Martin and informed him they would be working in the area.
Shortly afterward, Martin began riding a bicycle around the church, reportedly yelling at the victim and becoming increasingly hostile. The affidavit states Martin eventually got off the bike, confronted the 67-year-old man, and began yelling in his face. The situation escalated when Martin allegedly punched the man in the face, causing him to fall to the ground. Police say Martin continued the attack until officers arrived on the scene.
The victim was left with a busted lip and blood on his face, according to the affidavit. Police noted that a witness provided video footage of the incident.
Court records indicate this is not Martin's first encounter with law enforcement. He has been arrested on three felony charges in Searcy County dating back to 2009. His previous charges include commercial burglary, theft of property, first-degree terroristic threatening, possession of firearms by certain persons, third-degree assault on a family or household member, and violation of a protection order. Martin has previously served time in the Arkansas Department of Corrections as well as the Searcy County Jail and has also been placed on probation in prior cases.