BEDFORD—On August 2, Bedford Police Officer Joshua Turner was called to the Men’s Warming Shelter on H Street regarding a battery report that occurred at the apartments on Industrial Park Drive two nights prior.
A male described how, between 9 p.m. and midnight, he and 54-year-old Troy Stotts had been embroiled in a heated verbal dispute outside their apartment building. Stotts had retreated inside, but when the victim attempted to enter, he found himself face-to-face with an enraged Stotts.
The man said Stotts began swinging wildly, his fists connecting with his face multiple times. Stotts then allegedly grabbed the man by the arms, inflicting further pain and making death threats.
Being fearful, the man didn’t report the crime that night and sought refuge in a friend’s apartment. Two days later, he sought medical attention and decided to call the police.
Police spoke to Stotts, who said the other man was the aggressor and yelled at him while walking the dog. Stotts admitted to confronting the male but insisted the male pushed him first. He denied landing any blows.
However, a witness corroborated the victim’s story, saying he saw Stotts land three blows to the victim’s face.
The information was forwarded to the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Officer, and a warrant was issued for Stotts’ arrest on charges of intimidation and battery.
