Newton Police Department
• Michael L. Whistler, 39, of Newton, was charged with domestic abuse assault, first offense, at 5:39 p.m. May 25 after police were called to a fight in progress in the 600 block of East 28th Street South. The parties involved left in a black PT Cruiser. Police initiated a traffic stop in the 700 block of East 20th Street South, approached the vehicle and made contact with Whistler. The victim told police they had wrestled on the ground and the victim "socked" Whistler in the nose but later told police the fight was mutual. Witnesses told police they saw Whistler hold onto the steering wheel and punch the victim. The victim refused to identify any injuries caused by Whistler. Whistler was released and issued a citation to appear in court.
• David L. Smith, 60, of Newton, was charged with driving while barred at 3:56 p.m. Saturday after police were called to do a welfare check on a man on a motor scooter with a small child on it. Officers saw a man on the scooter driving south bound in the 100 block of West Ninth Street South. The man parked the scooter when police arrived on scene. Smith had a barred driver’s license status. Smith was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.
• Michael T. Todd, 27, of Newton, was charged with driving while barred, possession of controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to provide proof of financial liability at 12:38 a.m. Saturday. Police saw a Mercury Mountaineer with an inoperable brake light at the intersection of South Fifth Avenue East and East Eighth Street South. The driver pulled into a driveway at 820 S. Fifth Ave. E., which was not his residence. The driver immediately got out of his vehicle and became confrontational. When the driver was identified as Todd, he had a driver’s license status of barred and he was placed under arrest. An inventory of the vehicle revealed a plastic baggie in the center console with a green leafy substance which tested positive for marijuana. Officers also found a bong with marijuana residue in the bowl. Todd also didn’t have insurance on file. Todd was arrested and taken to the Jasper County Jail.