BEDFORD – A Franklin man was arrested on charges of domestic battery in the presence of a minor and strangulation following a disturbing incident at the Plaza Motel on Wednesday, December 4.
According to the probable cause affidavit filed by Officer Calvin Callahan of the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Department, officers were called to the Plaza Motel at 6843 US Highway 50 East after a woman arrived at the front desk covered in injuries and requesting assistance. She told a motel employee that she had been battered and was bleeding from her mouth. The employee promptly called 911.
Upon arrival, Officer Callahan and additional law enforcement personnel, including Sheriff Greg Day, Chief Brandon Blackwell, Major James A. Blackburn, and Detective Michael Williams, contacted the woman, who explained that she and her boyfriend, Thomas J. Nolen, 34, had been arguing for several days, with Nolen becoming physically aggressive during the altercations.
She described a violent incident earlier that day in which Nolen allegedly pinned her to the bed, choked her, and punched her in the face. She added that Nolen had taken her phone and prevented her from leaving the room. She said their two children were present in the room during the incident and had witnessed the abuse, with one of the children telling Nolen to stop.
Physical evidence corroborated the woman’s account. She had visible bruises and red marks around her neck, a swollen bottom lip, and various bruises on her arms and legs, which she stated were from previous days of abuse. The woman eventually escaped the motel room and went to the front office to seek help.
Meanwhile, officers made contact with Nolen in the motel room. Nolen was detained and placed under arrest after admitting to choking his girlfriend, though he denied punching her, suggesting instead that her lip injury was caused by her biting it. Nolen also acknowledged having issues with anger management.
Further investigation revealed that the motel employee who called 911 had heard the couple fighting on multiple occasions, describing loud arguments, banging sounds, and items being thrown inside the room over several days.
As a result of the investigation, Thomas J. Nolen was arrested on charges of domestic battery in the presence of a minor and strangulation, both felony charges, and transported to jail without incident.
The Department of Child Services was notified about the children’s involvement in the incident.
Those facing criminal charges are considered innocent unless convicted through due legal proceedings. Accusations alone do not imply guilt; the judicial system will evaluate the presented evidence to reach a verdict.
