A Chattooga County man is facing multiple charges after allegedly assaulting his stepfather at the Chattooga County Courthouse Wednesday Morning. According to Sheriff's Department Investigator James Durham, 33-year-old Dustin Starkey has been charged with aggravated assault under the Family Violence Act; aggravated battery under the Family Violence Act; simple assault under the Family Violence Act; two counts of misdemeanor obstruction of officers; and disorderly conduct.

Starkey is accused of attacking his stepfather, 55-year-old Olin Ford at the probation office in the courthouse about about 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday. Ford was taken to the hospital with multiple lacerations to his face due to blunt force trauma. On Wednesday afternoon, Durham said Ford might be released by Wednesday evening.  

According to Durham, the attack appeared to be unprovoked and he is not sure of the cause. Durham said Starkey and his step-father rode together to meet with Starkey's parole officer at the courthouse. He said everything was calm but at some point Starkey stood up and started hitting Ford. He reportedly was told numerous times to stop and didn't.

The female parole officer reportedly ran out of the office and to the Sheriff's Office for help. When Durham and another deputy arrived, a court officer had subdued Starkey. He was cuffed and searched, and taken to the Chattooga County Jail.