Houston, MO. – A Waynesville man was arrested for domestic assault on Sunday in northern Texas County.
The Texas County Sheriff’s Office and Licking Police Department responded to a domestic disturbance on Maple Avenue in Licking on Sunday, May 29. During the investigation by the departments, it was discovered that a woman had been assaulted by Baltazar J. Ruiz, 31 of Waynesville, a convicted felon who was currently on parole for assault.
The woman stated she and Ruiz were on Hartville Road when she asked him to exit the vehicle. Ruiz then exited the vehicle and pointed a pistol at her, threatening to kill her. He fired a shot in the air, pulled her from the vehicle, hitting her before choking until she lost consciousness. A search of the vehicle uncovered a .45 caliber handgun.
Baltazar J. Ruiz was placed under arrest and is in the Texas County Jail. Ruiz has been charged with Domestic Assault 1st Degree, Unlawful Possession Of A Firearm, and Unlawful Use Of A Weapon and is being held without bond.
The above charges are mere accusations and are not evidence of guilt. Evidence in support of the charges must be presented before a court of competent jurisdiction whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.
