By Ray King
A Pine Bluff man was arrested Tuesday after he allegedly choked and then hit his girlfriend.
Eric Pugh, 38, was taken into custody after police were sent to a house in the 4400 block of West 12th Avenue in response to a reported armed disturbance.
Reading from a probable cause affidavit from Detective Sgt. Michael Roberts, Deputy Prosecutor Mircha King said the victim told police she was in a romantic relationship with Pugh.
Roberts reported that police saw red marks on the victim’s throat where she had been strangled and a red mark on her forehead near the hairline where Pugh allegedly hit her with the butt of the rifle.
Pine Bluff District Judge John Kearney set a $20,000 bond for Pugh after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge him with aggravated assault and third-degree battery.
Pugh said he would hire his own attorney and was ordered to have no contact with the victim until the case is settled.
