Domestic dispute ends in felony arrest

A Washington County man was arrested on assault and battery charges after deputies responded to a domestic dispute Sunday afternoon.

On March 27 at approximately 3:45 p.m., Washington County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a residence on River Lake Road in reference to a domestic dispute.

When deputies arrive on scene, they made contact with the victim, who displayed visible signs of an altercation.

The victim stated to deputies that her husband, Qulon Carl French, 33, was upset with her because she wouldn’t give him her cell phone.

The victim then stated French grabbed her by the throat and tried removing the cell phone from her hand.

In an attempt to leave the residence, the victim ran outside to the vehicle. French followed and strangled her to the point she was unresponsive.

When she came to, French had her phone and in a second attempt to escape she retreated to the wood line.

The victim stated French followed her into the wood line with the vehicle and attempted to hit her as he proceeded to run over trees while stating he was going to kill her. French, with no luck, ended the pursuit and vacated the property. 

Deputies found evidence at the scene that was consistent with the victim’s statement.

French returned to the residence a short time later at a high rate of speed and fled when he saw deputies were present.

The deputies then pursued French’s vehicle, which he drove into a lake. Just before entering the water, French jumped from the driver’s seat. He was apprehended.

French is currently being held in the Washington County Jail on charges of assault with a deadly weapon, battery by strangulation and battery touch or strike.