On September 30, 2024, at approximately 11:23 PM, officers from the Sulphur Springs Police Department responded to a report of a disturbance at the Red Roof Inn located in the 1500 block of Shannon Road East. Upon arrival, officers found a female victim with dried blood on her lips, inside her nose, and visible redness on her neck.
The victim identified her boyfriend, 31-year-old Patrick David Stephens, as the accused. She reported that Stephens was intoxicated and had punched her in the face multiple times. Additionally, she alleged that he had choked her to the point where she feared she might lose consciousness.
In an effort to escape the situation, the victim attempted to call 911 using her cell phone. However, Stephens was aware of her attempt to seek help, took her phone, and threw it, breaking the screen. The victim then tried to use the hotel room phone to call for assistance, but Stephens disconnected it from the wall. Officers noted the broken cell phone and the hotel phone pulled from the wall as evidence of Stephens' actions to obstruct her emergency call.
The victim requested an Emergency Protective Order, and officers provided her with a yellow card for victims of family violence. Stephens was arrested and transported to the Hopkins County jail without incident. He faces charges of:
- Assault Family/Household Member Impede Breath/Circulation (Felony 3)
- Interference with Emergency Request for Assistance (Misdemeanor A)
- Driving While License Invalid (Misdemeanor C)
