Officers pull guns on Gunter

A Fort Smith man is charged with second-degree burglary, domestic abuse-assault and battery, threaten to perform act of violence, possession of controlled dangerous substance, and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia after reportedly breaking into a Sallisaw residence on Feb. 9.

Marcus R. Gunter, 34, was formally charged on Feb. 14 in Sequoyah County District Court and is scheduled for an April 18 preliminary hearing before Associate District Judge Kyle Waters, according to court records.

Sallisaw Police officer Joseph Lufkin reported around 11:30 p.m. that night he was dispatched to Scott Avenue after a reporting party reported finding drug paraphernalia in a trailer located behind a residence. Lufkin said he then went to the trailer to speak with the occupants, identified as a woman and Gunter.

The officer reported the female was distraught and visibly shaken, and said after she and Gunter got into an argument, he allegedly threatened her with a knife and assaulted her, according to the probable cause affidavit.

The woman reportedly showed Lufkin old and new marks on her body and was asked to fill out a statement. She also provided messages from Gunter reportedly threatening her before he showed up at the residence unannounced, wanting to talk. The woman said when she asked him to leave he allegedly grabbed her by the head, covering her nose and mouth. The woman said she fought back, trying to breathe and even tried biting his hand when Gunter pushed harder on her face, biting into the area of her forehead, according to the affidavit.

Gunter reportedly covered the woman’s mouth and nose again, slamming her into a wooden chest. He then threw her onto a bed before she was able to break free, and a family member took Gunter to another residence.

The next day, Gunter returned and the woman told him to leave, and he left. She said he pulled out a knife, reportedly threatening her and acting like he was going to stab her, while also stating he would “stab anyone who tries to come in.” Gunter then reportedly left with a family member.

On Feb. 10, Sallisaw Police were dispatched to West Ruth to speak with a man who told them the woman had allegedly stolen his television and sound system. The items were reportedly located inside the woman’s residence and she said the man gave the items to Gunter about a month ago for a trade of some kind.

Officers went to the man’s residence where he let officers come inside to talk about the stolen property and his relationship with Gunter and the woman. Lufkin reported hearing a noise coming from a bedroom and when he approached the room, he noticed an individual laying under the bed. Police ordered the man out with their handguns drawn but he would not show his right hand.The man was found to be Gunter and a knife was found inside one of his pockets. After searching underneath the bed, police reported finding a baggie containing a white crystal substance inside a fold of a blown up mattress.

Gunter was taken to the Sallisaw Police Department where he was booked in on his charges and later transferred to the Sequoyah County Detention Center.

Gunter entered a not guilty plea on Feb. 15, according to court documents.