A Summerville man was arrested on Saturday evening after Chattooga County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a domestic dispute that reportedly turned physical. John Riley Reece, 60, faces charges of simple battery under the Family Violence Act.

According to a report from the Chattooga County Sheriff’s Office, Deputy Gene Whitworth was dispatched to a residence on Hemphill Road in Summerville at approximately 7:51 PM on September 7, 2025, in reference to a physical domestic altercation. Dispatch advised that the parties were separated, and the female caller was in a bedroom, stating that the male subject, identified as John Reece, had struck her with a piece of broken wood.

Upon arrival, Deputy Whitworth, assisted by Deputy Garmany, observed John Reece walking on the road towards them. When questioned, Reece initially stated that he and the complainant had gotten into an argument. When confronted with the dispatcher’s information about him hitting her with wood, Reece admitted to striking the victim on the foot with a wooden plaque.

Deputy Whitworth then proceeded to the residence to speak with the female complainant. Upon entering, the deputy observed a large-screen television on the floor that had been broken. Inside the bedroom, the victim showed deputies a broken jewelry box with jewelry scattered across the floor. She then displayed a small, broken wooden plaque, stating that Reece had used it to hit her twice on the left leg and once on the left foot. The victim also showed a bruise under her right arm, just above the elbow, alleging that Reece had grabbed her there while hitting her in the head.

When re-interviewed, Mr. Reece admitted to breaking the jewelry box and striking the victim on the foot with the small plaque. However, he denied breaking the television, claiming the victim had done so the day before. He also denied hitting her in the head or grabbing her arm as she described.

Based on the evidence at the scene, Reece’s admissions to striking the victim with the wooden plaque, and the bruise observed on the victim’s arm, Deputy Whitworth placed John Riley Reece under arrest for Simple Battery (Family Violence Act). The report noted that while a weapon (the wooden plaque) was involved, its small size and thin construction suggested it could not have caused serious injury, leading to the charge of simple battery rather than aggravated assault.

Reece was transported to the Chattooga County Jail. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.