CARMI, Ill - A registered sex offender with a definite drinking problem but no discernible history of violence apparently opted to add that facet to his resume over the holidays, and as of today, at least, there's been no indication that he's been arrested for an alleged battery that occurred Christmas Day.
White County Sheriff's Sgt. Byrd Huber was dispatched to 1349 Sycamore Street outside Carmi on December 25 at 9:25 a.m. in reference to what was reported as a "verbal domestic." Once there, he met with Billy Newman, 46, and Charles Newman, 79, who lives at the residence. Billy had come to the residence to assist in the calming of the domestic, and related that his nephew, Josh Newman, 31, had been arguing with his girlfriend Taylor Hays, 21. Billy said the two were living in a room in the back of the residence, so Huber asked to talk to Hays, and Charles Newman had him enter the residence.
Hays came from the back of the residence, crying and holding the back of her head. Huber asked her what had happened and she said that she was in bed and Josh "came in all mad." When she asked him what was wrong, she reported that he "just kept getting madder." She told him she would get out of bed and when she attempted to, she said Newman tried to kick her but she pulled back, so he straddled her and put his hand around her neck. She was able to get away, and she came into the residence where Charles Newman was; he subsequently made the 911 call.
Hays was asked if she needed an ambulance to check her neck but she refused on; Huber then asked her if she wanted to sign a complaint against Newman and she said she "didn't know." She then decided that she didn't want to sign a complaint, being that it as Christmas and she didn't want any more problems on Christmas. Huber told her that there were marks on her neck and that he would have to arrest Newman; Huber then had Billy Newman show Huber where Josh might be. However, when they entered the room where the couple stayed, Billy Newman said that Josh was gone; Huber looked around and didn't see anyone.
So Huber went back inside and spoke with Hays, who still didn't want to sign a complaint, but just wanted to get her belongings and call someone she knew to come get her. Huber explained to Hays that he was going to send a report to the State's Attorney's office with photos of her injuries, and explained that unless Newman caused more problems for her or anybody at the residence, he would not be arrested on Christmas...but a warrant would be sought. Hays said she understood, and Billy Newman said he would stay to make sure his nephew didn't come back to cause any problems.
Josh Newman, who apparently still has a penchant for females much younger than him, was convicted in a 2013 Aggravated Criminal Sexual Abuse case when he was 26 and the victim was 15. As of this morning, at any rate, there had been no charge filed on him.