Jeremiah G. Ray, 43, of Cedar Hill has been charged for allegedly attacking two family members at their home in the 7800 block of Evergreen Drive. He allegedly choked a man and pushed a woman during the assault, according to court documents.
The Jefferson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on Monday, May 5, charged Ray with first-degree domestic assault, a class B felony, and fourth-degree domestic assault, a class A misdemeanor. However, the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office requested the felony domestic assault charge to be tried as a class A felony due to Ray being considered a persistent offender, court records said.
A class A felony is punishable by 10 to 30 years in prison, while a class B felony carries a penalty of five to 15 years in prison. A class A misdemeanor is punishable by up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000.
The probable-cause statement said on May 4, Ray allegedly choked a man in the home by grabbing the man by his shirt collar. The man told a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office deputy that he couldn’t breathe and thought he was going to die.
A woman at the home attempted to separated Ray and the other man, and Ray allegedly pushed her down, the report said.
The man was transported to an area hospital, and the woman was evaluated by emergency medical services personnel at the home and declined being transported to a hospital, according to the report.
When a deputy told Ray that he was under arrest, Ray started yelling and allegedly resisted arrest. The deputy used a stun gun to subdue Ray and arrest him, the report said.
The Sheriff’s Office did not report why Ray allegedly attacked the man and woman at the home.
In May 2016, Ray pleaded guilty to a charge of driving while intoxicated as a persistent offender in Jefferson County and was sentenced to three years in prison. However, the judge suspended the execution of the sentence and placed Ray on five years’ probation, according to court documents.
In January 2021, Ray again pleaded guilty to a charge of DWI as a persistent offender and was sentenced to four years in prison. The judge in the case again suspended the execution of the sentence, and Ray was placed on five years’ probation, court records said.
Jefferson County assistant prosecuting attorney Tiffany Baker is prosecuting the new case.