BUCKHANNON – A Buckhannon man has been arrested for two felonies after allegedly fleeing from an officer who was attempting to arrest him for domestic battery.
Matthew Brian Gooden, 28, was arrested Monday for domestic battery third offense, burglary and fleeing from an officer after an incident with his girlfriend.
According to the criminal complaint in the Upshur County Magistrate Clerk’s Office, Gooden allegedly struck his girlfriend and cohabitating partner in the face with his fists numerous times on Florida Street. As a result, the victim had a red, swollen mark underneath her left eye and said she was having trouble hearing in both ears. The victim also complained of pain on top of her head.
According to the criminal complaint, Gooden also kicked in the door at 17 Sedgewick Street. He was allegedly making threats to harm his girlfriend via text messages when he kicked the door in at her cousin’s residence, attempting to get to her. The approximate damage to the door and frame is $200, the file states.
When Buckhannon Police Chief Matt Gregory attempted to arrest Gooden, he allegedly fled through yards on both sides of N. Florida Street until he was finally apprehended in a field just east of the road.
Magistrate Kay Hurst set bail at $50,000 for domestic battery third offense, $25,000 for burglary and $2,500 for fleeing from an officer.
If convicted, Gooden faces confinement in a state correctional facility for not less than one nor more than five years or a fine of not more than $2,500, or both, for domestic battery third offense; confinement in the state penitentiary not less than one nor more than 15 years for burglary; and a fine of $50 to $500 and/or confinement in jail not more than one year for fleeing from an officer.
