Cushing man jailed on domestic violence charge

 STILLWATER — A 49-year-old Cushing man, who allegedly admitted to abusing opioids, has been jailed on $7,500 bond pending his arraignment this week on a felony charge accusing him of putting his hands in his girlfriend’s mouth in such a manner as would obstruct her airway and interfere with her ability to breathe.

   If convicted of domestic assault and battery by strangulation, Gerald Gregory Morgan could be imprisoned for as long as 10 years and fined $20,000, according to the charge filed last week.

   Morgan was arrested at 1:34 pm on Sept. 20, about two and one-half hours after he called police from another location to report “he had been attempting to leave the residence that morning and believed he was experiencing a medical episode,” an affidavit alleged.

   Cushing Police Officer David Smith alleged in his affidavit, “Gerald stated he had been kicked and punched by (his girlfriend.) I observed a scratch on Gerald’s left wrist near the back of his hand. Officers did not observe any other visible injuries on Gerald.

   “Gerald additionally advised he had been bitten on his hand. I examined his hand but did not observe any injury consistent with a bite mark.

   “Gerald later stated he could not remember what had occurred or how the altercation began. Gerald eventually advised the altercation began after (she) told him to gather his belongings and leave the residence.

   “Gerald stated he began gathering his belongings and attempted to call police when (she) grabbed him by the back of the head and told him he was ‘going to have to kill her.’ Gerald advised he did not contact police until after he had left the residence.

   “Gerald stated he was fine. I observed that Gerald’s pupils appeared to be pinpoint. Gerald advised he was planning to enter a rehabilitation facility following the incident because he felt he had no other option. Gerald further admitted to abusing opioids.”

   When police returned to his girlfriend’s residence, she “advised she was not okay,” but declined medical assistance, the affidavit said.

   The Cushing officer alleged in his affidavit, “While speaking with her, I observed several fresh injuries that appeared consistent with a physical altercation. I observed a deep, bloody scratch on the right side of her face, redness and developing bruising on her left cheek, and a bloody and recently scabbed area on her left ear.

   “I also observed what appeared to be a bite mark on her right hand, as well as a fresh, deep blue bruise and red mark on her left forearm. Additionally, she had visible abrasions on both knees.

   “She later advised Gerald had returned home after becoming high and had kicked in the door of the residence during an altercation within the previous two days. She stated that when Gerald returned home intoxicated, she told him to leave. According to her, Gerald became violent and began striking her in the face with his pants.

   “She further stated Gerald strangled her by placing his hands inside her mouth and obstructing her airway, causing her to be unable to breathe. She showed officers injuries inside her mouth, including marks and scrapes she stated were caused when Gerald placed his hands inside her mouth.

   “She advised that cameras were present at the residence but were not recording. She showed officers the camera system, and I observed that there were no recordings available for the incident.

   “I subsequently made contact with Gerald again and asked him about the altercation. Gerald stated he could not remember what had occurred. Gerald maintained that he had not lied in his previous statements.”