Chattooga County sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic disturbance on the evening of October 25, 2024, that led to the arrest of 59-year-old John Riley Reece. The incident unfolded after a 911 hang-up call was made from a residence, prompting law enforcement to investigate further.

Upon arrival at the scene, officers received reports of a woman crying in the background. The situation escalated when a male caller, identified as Reece, initially claimed that no assistance was required before later calling back to indicate that a dispute was occurring over the destruction of drugs. According to the arresting officer, Reece admitted to engaging in a physical altercation with a female companion during questioning. He stated that she had approached him aggressively, which led him to grab her by the hair and pull her to the ground.

The female complainant provided a different perspective, detailing multiple instances of violence during the altercation. She reported that Reece not only pulled her hair but also kicked her left shin, resulting in a scrape. Additionally, she indicated that he threw a board in the laundry room, causing a scratch across her right side.

After verifying the injuries sustained by the complainant, Deputies arrested Reece for Simple Battery under the Family Violence Act (FVA).