INEZ — Martin County Sheriff John Kirk’s Office reported the following arrests:
Edward T. Summers, 57, of Inez, was arrested Thursday on Nichols Street in Inez for fourth-degree assault (child abuse).
Chief Deputy Chris Kidd was dispatched to Martin County High School for parents wanting to talk to law enforcement. Upon arrival, the deputy spoke with Summers, who stated his stepdaughter was texting a boy and he felt it was inappropriate. Summers allegedly stated that on the previous date, he and his 15-year-old stepdaughter had gotten into an argument and she threw a bottle at him.
During the interview at the school, the juvenile disclosed in front of law enforcement and the school principal that she threw the bottle because Summers hit her in the face and choked her.
According to the police report, Summers stated that during a struggle for the phone, he struck the female in the face with an open hand. He also allegedly stated that he reached around the juvenile’s neck when she put the phone in her other hand, adding that he did not intentionally choke her but “could have.”
The officer noted visible marks on the juvenile’s neck, along with a scratch on her chest.
DSS was contacted and assisted with the entirety of the investigation.
William Messer, 34, of Kermit, West Virginia, was arrested Feb. 20 on KY 40 in Inez for operating on a suspended or revoked operator’s license and operating a motor vehicle under the influence of controlled substance.
Deputy Kidd was stationary on KY 292 when Messer passed by and appeared not to be wearing his seat belt. The officer said he knew Messer’s operator’s license was suspended. Upon following Messer, Deputy Kidd observed Messer crossing the white line and putting his emergency flashers on. Once stopped, Kidd noted Messer “seemed nervous, fidgety and had slurred speech.”
According to the police report, Messer submitted to a field sobriety test, indicating 5 of 6 clues on horizontal gaze nystagmus, 5 of 8 on the walk and turn, and 3 of 4 on the one-leg stand. Messer allegedly told law enforcement that he had done suboxone a couple of hours earlier, refusing a blood test and saying “suboxone, marijuana and fireball” would show up on his blood.