Man indicted after allegedly choking pregnant woman

CHILLICOTHE - A man was indicted by a Ross County Grand Jury Friday after he allegedly choked a pregnant woman until a child in the home called 911.

Marcus A. Bates, 31, of 767 Madison Ave., was indicted on one count of domestic violence, a fifth-degree felony.

The charge stems from a July 12  incident where Chillicothe Police were called to his Madison Avenue address at 1:45 a.m., according to Rick Hannan of the Ross County Prosecutor's Office.

When officers arrived, they spoke with the female victim who was three months pregnant. She told police she and Bates were in an argument after he returned home from being out drinking when he grabbed her by the hair, slapped her face and choked her until a 10-year-old child in the home called 911, according to Hannan.

If convicted, Bates could face six to 12 months in prison along with a fine of up to $2,500.

Friday's grand jury heard eight cases, returned seven indictments, five of which were open.

• Christopher P. Spencer, 31, 1017 Akron St., was indicted on one count of assault, a fourth-degree felony. According to Hannan, Chillicothe police were called to 1015 Akron Street on June 4 because a man was refusing to leave the residence. The victim told police he was working in the yard when Spencer came over, claimed he lost his cell phone in the yard and accused him of stealing it. The neighbor asked police to bar Spencer from his home. When the officer spoke to Spencer, who appeared to be intoxicated, it was discovered Spencer had a warrant out of Pickaway County, according to Hannan. Spencer allegedly resisted the arrest, was electronically subdued, but while on the ground kicked the officer in the mouth, chin and chest. If convicted, he could face six to 18 months in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. 
• Gavin E. Chinn, 20, 7199 Marietta Road, was indicted on a count of receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony. On June 8, Chillicothe Police officers were called to a home on North Mulberry Street where the victim said someone broke into the apartment and stole four bicycles valued at $12,384, Hannan said. On June 23, an officer saw Chinn with the with bicycles in the back of a truck while driving on Marietta Road. He was pulled over for a traffic stop and the bikes were confirmed to be the ones stolen from the Mulberry Street residence. If convicted, Chinn could face 6 to 18 months in prison and five of up to $5,000. 
• Kristi J. Smith, 47, 142 Columbia Ave., ws indicted on one count of theft, a fifth-degree felony. On July 12, a Chillicothe Police officer met with Lowe's officials, who said Smith, an employee, was allegedly making fraudulent returns, Hannan said. Smith allegedly looked up cash transactions in the store computers and would use them to process fraudulent returns and pocket the cash, according to Hannan. Smith is accused of making 24 transactions for a total of $2,810.85. If convicted, she could face six to 12 months in prison and a fine of up to $2,500. 
• William G. Sandell, 47, 637 N.High St., was indicted on one count of domestic violence, a fourth-degree felony. Hannan said on July 9, Chillicothe Police were called to a home on North High Street where a witness said while Sandell and a woman were visiting their home, they saw Sandell hit the woman in the head with a phone. The police met with the victim who said she was struck by twice after he accused her of taking his medication, according to Hannan. Sandell had a prior domestic violence conviction in 2002 in Chillicothe Municipal Court, making this offense a felony, Hannan said.