Jonesboro, Arkansas — A violent altercation has left a Jonesboro man facing serious criminal charges following an incident involving his girlfriend in Fulton County that led to her hospitalization. Zachery Lynn West, 40, is now confronting multiple felony charges across two states, including first-degree domestic battery.
The charges stem from a domestic dispute that escalated on September 2. According to reports from local law enforcement agencies, the victim described their tumultuous on-and-off relationship, which began in May. The confrontation unfolded at her home in Viola at around 3:45 a.m. when West arrived and an argument ensued after she received a phone call from another man.
As tensions flared, West smashed the victim’s phone and, in a fit of rage, pinned her against a wall, restricting her breathing. He released her but not before causing considerable damage to her property, ramming her vehicle with his own before fleeing towards a nearby creek in Howell County, where the violence intensified.
The confrontation escalated further when the victim approached West’s vehicle. In a startling act, West pulled out an AR-15 and struck her on the head, causing severe injuries. She reported hearing a clicking sound that led her to believe the gun could have been lethal if it had been loaded. Following this, he hit her again, resulting in a broken jaw. He also discarded her phone in the creek.
Emergency services transported the victim to Ozarks Healthcare in West Plains, where she subsequently required surgery at Mercy Hospital in Springfield. Medical bills are anticipated to exceed $39,000, though she has yet to receive an invoice for the treatment at the West Plains hospital.
West faces significant legal repercussions in Fulton County, where he has been charged with first-degree domestic battery, aggravated assault against a household member, and first-degree criminal mischief. Additionally, he faces a sentence enhancement tied to his use of a firearm during the commission of these offenses. Currently, he remains in custody at the Fulton County Jail with a bond set at $100,000.
In Howell County, West is confronted with additional felony charges, including first-degree domestic assault, armed criminal action, unlawful use of a weapon, and first-degree property damage. Authorities continue to investigate this case, which has raised concerns over escalating domestic violence in the region. The victim is now focused on her recovery and the path ahead in the wake of this traumatic experience.