A convicted felon with a history of violent behavior was arrested Sunday, March 2, on multiple felony charges following an investigation conducted by officers of the Bellefontaine Police Department.
Jarvis Magee, 36, of Columbus, was charged with burglary, a second-degree felony; and domestic violence and strangulation, both third-degree felonies.
At approximately 5:51 a.m., officers were dispatched to a residence in the 700 block of Township Road 179 in reference to a domestic dispute. Dispatch advised that the suspect, Magee, had left the scene in a black Audi. Officers did not observe the vehicle while responding and requested the Logan County Sheriff’s Office to be on the lookout for it.
Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim, who was distraught. While speaking with her, dispatch advised that deputies located the vehicle and detained Magee near the on-ramp to eastbound U.S. Route 33 from east Sandusky Avenue.
An officer met with sheriff’s deputies, who had Magee in custody. Magee stated he had been in Bellefontaine visiting a friend and wanted to see his children, who live with the victim.
Magee claimed he went to the residence and found the children alone, then left and returned to Columbus. He later messaged the victim about the situation, which led to an argument. He then drove back to the residence, where another altercation ensued.
Magee claimed the victim attacked him, showing officers a scratch on his face and a bleeding lip. He stated the victim prevented him from leaving, and during the struggle, he mistakenly took her phone but later realized it and returned to give it back. Officers reviewed call history on his phone but did not find any messages related to the incident.
While Magee remained in custody, an officer returned to the victim’s residence. The victim provided Ring camera footage showing Magee arriving at 2:30 a.m., entering the house, and going into bedrooms. The victim stated she had been home since 10:30 p.m. and woke up to Magee choking her. The video reportedly showed the victim telling Magee to leave, as well as an altercation on the stairs and Magee placing her in a chokehold while dragging her toward the couch. The footage also showed him restraining her with his forearm over her neck before taking his phone and leaving the residence.
The victim’s 10-year-old son reportedly witnessed the altercation. He told officers he witnessed Magee choking his mother, dragging her down the stairs and restraining her at the base of the staircase.
Magee was arrested and transported to the Logan County Jail. He has prior felony convictions, including a second-degree felony for improper discharge of a firearm in 2018 and two domestic violence convictions in 2010 and 2016.