Johnny Estle Gardner Jr., 39, of 34952 Del Rio Road, Dexter, was charged with first-offense domestic abuse assault, child endangerment and obstruction of emergency communications.
The incident began about 7 p.m. Sept. 7 in Stuart, where an officer of the Stuart Police Department and a Dallas County Deputy Sheriff made contact with the victim, who told the officers that “she was assaulted by her ex-husband in Dallas County and had injuries,” according to court records.
I went to Officer Irvin’s location and began speaking with the victim, Kathleen Gardner. Kathleen advised that her and the defendant are still currently married but
separated pending a divorce. Kathleen advised that the defendant had recently come home from being out of state due to work and the defendant had requested
to see the three children he shares with Kathleen.
The victim told the officers that she “agreed to bring the children over to his house” but when she later tried to leave, Gardner allegedly “began punching the window and mirror of her vehicle” in order to prevent the victim’s leaving and “then attempted to reach through the window and grab” the victim, according to court records.
The victim told the officers that she tried to call 911 with her cell phone, but Gardner allegedly “was able to grab it out of her hand,” according to court records. She then tried to call 911 using her Apple watch, but Gardner allegedly “forcefully ripped the watch off her left wrist.”
The officers observed “the thick silicone band of the watch broken and pieces of the silicone” at the scene, according to curt records.
When the victim tried to use On-Star to contact 911, Gardner allegedly “pulled her out
of the vehicle and drug her into his driveway,” according to court records.
The officers observed on the victim “a small laceration to her left wrist” and “abrasions on her upper left arm” as well as damage to the victim’s clothing that was “consistent with an individual being drug across gravel and pavement,” according to court records.
The victim told the officers that an 8-year-old child and a 5-year-old child “were in the front yard and distraught, watching these events unfold,” according to court records.
Gardner was held in the Dallas County Jail prior to his release on his own recognizance. He is scheduled for arraignment Oct. 19 in Dallas County District Court.
Gardner was convicted of assault with intent to inflict serious injury in 2021 in Dallas County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
