Repeat suspect freed here, jailed by other county
Staff writer
A Marion man arrested March 31 and April 23 on suspicion of domestic battery, then again May 2 for allegedly violating terms of his bond, was picked up last week by Cowley County deputies to face charges of probation violation there.
Tyler A. Craft, 27, was convicted Jan. 5 in Cowley County of domestic battery. The original charge in that case was aggravated domestic battery because it allegedly involved choking the victim. In a plea deal, the charge was reduced to misdemeanor domestic battery, and he was sentenced to six months’ probation.
Craft was charged with domestic battery in two recent Marion County cases, both involving the same alleged victim. The first charge was filed March 25, two days after his first arrest here.
Despite a court order to have no contact with the victim, police arrested him again after they were called to his residence April 23 on a report of another domestic disturbance.
The first time he was arrested, he bonded out the same day on $2,500. The second time, he bonded out the following day, also on $2,500.
County attorney Joel Ensey filed an affidavit April 25 seeking Craft’s arrest for violation of bond.
On the same date, Cowley County probation officer Ashley Kling filed a court document alleging probation violation in the Cowley County case.
A Cowley County warrant was issued. Joyce Fellers, another probation officer in Cowley County, said the warrant did not allow for bond. Craft will face court hearings there to decide whether his Marion arrests for domestic battery constitute violation of court orders to avoid contact with the victim.
After he was arrested last week in Marion, however, District Judge Susan Robson ordered him released on his own recognizance in the Marion County case. Jailers here held him, however, until Cowley County deputies arrived.
Craft is scheduled for first appearance in Marion County court May 23.
The Cowley County attorney’s office did not return a call seeking comment on Craft’s case there.