Man accused of beating, imprisoning girlfriend

A 55-year-old man has been arrested for domestic violence and false imprisonment of his girlfriend after St. Landry Parish Sheriff’s deputies responded to a welfare complaint, according to Sheriff Bobby Guidroz.
Duputies responded to the scene on Sharon Road near Opelousas on July 8 to find the woman with scratches on her face, neck and chest, Guidroz said in a news release. Deputies also found she had bruises on her face and arms and an injury to her right eye, he said.
The woman said her boyfriend, Robert Smithey had punched her in the face, Guidroz said. Smithey reportedly destroyed her bedroom and bathroom then began choking her with his hands and then a rag around her neck, he said. Smithley held her captive in the bedroom destroying her cell phone then continued to beat her until her escape, he said.
“Deputies entered the bedroom and located Smithey. The victim also reported that Smithey had stolen her purse contents that included her debt cards and identification. Smithey refused to answer questions and was found to be in possession of the stolen cards,” Guidroz said.
Smithy, of the 1200 block of Downs Avenue, Woodward, was charged with domestic abuse battery, false imprisonment, simple criminal damage and theft under $750.
“No one should suffer these domestic issues whether it is verbal altercations, violation of protection orders or physical abuse. Any relationship that becomes violent needs to be addressed immediately. There are local and state agencies that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week for shelters and counseling. We have a zero tolerance for domestic abuse and will arrest the predominate aggressor in every case,” Guidroz said.