An Auxvasse man faces multiple charges including felony domestic assault, according to Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism.
Christopher Mears, 39, was charged Wednesday by the Callaway County Prosecuting Attorney's Office with felony domestic assault, armed criminal action, tampering with a victim, tampering with evidence and unlawful use of a weapon. Mears is being held without bond in the Callaway County Jail.
In a probable cause statement, police cite two prior convictions for third-degree domestic assault from 2013 and 2014 as reasons Mears might pose a danger to the victim or community. He was also convicted of tampering with a victim in connection with the 2014 case, according to Missouri Casenet.
The charges are the result of a Sept. 26 investigation conducted by the Callaway County Sheriff's Office. Deputies investigated a domestic disturbance involving weapons in the 5000 block of State Road E, west of Auxvasse. Deputies were flagged down on the road at about 4:15 p.m., but Mears had already left the area.
According to a probable cause statement, the female victim told deputies she had been in a relationship with Mears for five months, living in the same residence.
She said Mears had assaulted her multiple times over about a week.
On Sept. 18, she said he pointed a handgun at her during a verbal dispute, told her to get on the ground and start praying. The victim said she got on her knees, and Mears hit her with the handle of the gun multiple times, causing a large laceration.
A deputy said pictures taken of the victim show lacerations on her scalp and bruises and marks "all over her body."
The victim said Mears told her to wash the blood out of her hair, and threatened to kill her if she told anyone what happened.
The second incident reported by the victim occurred Sept. 22. She said she was sleeping in a recliner when Mears knocked over the chair, then stood on her neck, restricting her airflow until she passed out, according to the probably cause statement.
Then on Sept. 26, the victim said she and Mears were arguing when he grabbed her by the mouth and forced her against a couch. She said she escaped by pinching his chest.
That evening, a Callaway County sheriff's deputy saw Mears driving on U.S. 54 in Fulton.
With the assistance of the Fulton Police Department and the Missouri Highway Patrol, the vehicle was stopped and Mears was taken into custody without incident.
Chism said the investigation is ongoing and further charges could be forthcoming.