Casper Man Arrested for Allegedly Striking Pregnant Woman
Casper police on Friday arrested a man after he allegedly struck a pregnant woman during a dispute in the parking lot of the Walmart store on East Second Street.
Jevon Bynum, 39, was booked into jail on a recommended charge of felony Family Violence Protection Act assault and battery. He will likely make his initial appearance in Natrona County Circuit Court at 2 p.m. Monday.
According to witness statements as presented in a police affidavit, Bynum went to Walmart with his mother and the alleged victim around 1 p.m. Friday.
The victim told police that she and Bynum were arguing as they arrived at the store and, while still inside the vehicle, the victim asked Bynum if his mother knew that he hit the victim.
The argument continued, and Bynum allegedly said that he wasn't afraid to hit the victim in front of his mother. He then allegedly hit the victim with an open right hand, which the victim described as a back-hand, across the right side of her face.
Bynum's mother reportedly asked, "Why don't you call the police?" She then went into the store, and the victim got into the front seat of the vehicle where Bynum's mother had been sitting.
Bynum allegedly hit the victim a second time, though she was unable to describe to police the manner in which she was struck. She then got out of the car and got a ride to Common Cents, where she cleaned up her bloody nose and lip.
The victim told police she was nine weeks pregnant, and Bynum was aware of the pregnancy.
The responding officer observed pronounced swelling and redness on the right side of the victim's cheek area, according to court documents. The victim's injuries were photographed.
Bynum told police that no physical altercation took place. He said that the victim tried to jump from the rear of the vehicle into the front seat and hit her face on his right wrist in doing so. Later, he said she hit her face on the center console.
Police noted that Bynum was completely cooperative and allowed himself to be photographed by officers before providing a statement.
Bynum was taken into custody at roughly 5:40 p.m. Friday and taken to jail.