Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Sundance man charged with child abuse and possession of a deadly weapon

Austin London faces charges of child abuse and possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent after allegedly physically assaulting a victim in their home near Sundance.

A Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy was called to a residence on August 14 at around 2:14 p.m. for reports of a man physically abusing the occupant, breaking their cell phone and threatening them with a gun. The alleged victim reported fleeing their own residence and walking to a neighbor’s house to report the incident.

The victim alleged that London had been working on their car in the garage at around 10 a.m. and had already been drinking alcohol when the victim brought a plate of breakfast to him. At that time, London grew angry with the victim over a personal disagreement.

The victim claimed that London had yelled at them, screamed in their ear, hit and pushed them and then forced them backward, before breaking a chair against the vehicle above the victim. London then allegedly threw the plate of food, which shattered next to the victim and cut their arm.

According to the deputy’s report, London then went into the house to retrieve the victim’s phone and smashed it on the garage floor, stating that he did so to prevent the victim calling the police or a family member.

London then allegedly threatened the victim several times, including the statement that he would break every bone in their body.

London allegedly calmed down as the two went into the house, where he told a child present in the home to go to a different room. At that time, London’s aggressiveness is reported to have once again escalated and he resumed yelling, grabbing and pushing the victim, shoving their head and scratching under their eye.

London allegedly spit on the victim, broke their glasses and continued to drink as he did so. The victim reported throwing the bottle of alcohol down the stairs to stop him.

According to court reports, London then retrieved a rifle from the living room and went towards where the bullets are kept. The child returned to the scene, at which point London allegedly put the gun down, went over to the child and told them that the victim was “bad and a liar.”

The victim and child reportedly ran from the house and went to a neighbor’s residence, but nobody was home. They continued to walk to find help and, as they did so, they heard London’s truck on the road, so they hid.

After approximately one hour, the two were able to find help at another neighbor’s residence.

The deputy reports observing several injuries on the victim, including developing bruising and fingermarks, cuts, scratches and torn clothing.

London has been charged with felony counts of child abuse (carrying a maximum punishment of ten years’ imprisonment, a $10,000 fine or both) and possession of a deadly weapon with unlawful intent (carrying a maximum penalty of five years’ imprisonment, a $1000 fine or both.)

He has also been charged with misdemeanor counts of interference with emergency calls, false imprisonment and battery of a household member.

 
 
Rendered 03/28/2024 16:36