By Ray King
A Pine Bluff man was arrested Monday after he allegedly beat and kicked his girlfriend, then put a pistol to her head and told her he would “blow her brains out.”
During a court hearing Tuesday, Deputy Prosecutor Beth Carson said Arti Johnson, 31,
currently has pending charges of second-degree domestic battery stemming from an incident in May and has been convicted of two prior domestic battery on a family or household member allegations previously.
Regarding the latest allegation, Carson said police were sent to an apartment on Wisconsin Street in the early morning hours Monday where the alleged victim said Johnson, her boyfriend, had beaten her, knocked her to the floor and kicked her. She said he also put a silver and black pistol to her head and threatened to kill her.
Johnson was arrested at the scene and taken to the Detective Office for questioning and according to Detective Keith Banks, Johnson became irate and complained of medical problems. He was examined by paramedics from EASI who said there was nothing wrong with him. To be safe, Johnson was taken to Jefferson Regional hospital where he was examined and released.
Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth set a $50,000 bond for Johnson after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge him with aggravated assault on a family or household member, terroristic threatening and second offense third-degree domestic battery.
Johnson said he would hire his own attorney and was ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim until the case is settled.
