A Perry man was arrested late Saturday at the Casey’s store at 1308 First Ave. after allegedly threatening a female with a lug wrench.
Michael Jason Godwin, 30, of 1311 First Ave., Perry, was arrested by officers of the Perry Police Department on a charge of assault-display or use of a weapon.
A witness to the incident said Godwin “was yelling at some female in the parking lot, and he went to his truck and pulled out a tire iron.”
According to court records, Godwin allegedly “retrieved a metal pipe from his truck, struck his own vehicle and displayed the weapon toward the victim.”
The female said “she felt he was going to strike her with the metal pipe,” according to court records, and “witnesses on scene confirmed the events that occurred.” Godwin “also admitted to displaying the metal pipe.”
The Perry Police Department officer recovered the weapon from under the hood of Godwin’s truck.
Godwin was booked into the Dallas County Jail and released Sunday morning after an initial appearance in Dallas County District Court.
Godwin was convicted in Polk County District Court in 2012 of disorderly conduct-fighting or violent behavior. He was convicted in Dallas County District Court in 2015 of first-offense domestic abuse assault-display or use of weapon.
Godwin’s alleged behavior Saturday was similar to actions leading to his 2015 conviction. In the earlier assault, according to court records, the victim said Godwin was brandishing “a large metal socket bar,” and “she was in fear for her safety and felt threatened by the object he was holding as he had earlier thrown a tire iron so hard it stuck into the ground.”
Godwin was also convicted in Greene County District Court in 2017 of assault causing bodily injury. The victim in the Greene County case claimed Godwin “had not been taking his anxiety medication as directed,” according to court records.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
