CHARLESTON, Mo. -- An East Prairie man faces felony charges after allegedly striking a man's face with a tool.
Terry Duty, 41, is charged with first-degree assault and armed criminal action, according to online court records.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol is investigating the matter at the request of the Mississippi County Prosecuting Attorney Darren Cann.
According to the probable cause statement provided by Mississippi County Prosecuting Attorney's office, on Jan. 29, an investigation began when August B. Porter, 37, reported to members of the Missouri State Highway Patrol he was assaulted by East Prairie Police Chief Mark Higgins and Duty. He said the alleged assault happened after Duty accused him of stealing items from Duty's wife's vehicle.
Porter told investigators he was first approached by Duty and asked to be seated in his vehicle, the probable cause said. Porter claimed Duty drove them to a construction company on East Washington in East Prairie where Duty parked the vehicle in the parking lot and accused Porter of stealing items from his wife's vehicle.
Porter told the Patrol that Duty allegedly told Porter he would not involve the police if Porter would admit to taking the items and return them. Porter said he denied taking the items from the vehicle and continued to deny taking the items throughout the incident.
Higgins later arrived at the business, and Duty allegedly got out of the vehicle and went into the business. When Duty got out of the vehicle, Higgins allegedly had Porter also get out and placed Porter in handcuffs.
According to the probable cause statement, Duty exited the business and told Higgins to bring Porter into the business to watch a video, which Duty believed proved that Porter was responsible for stealing the items from his wife's vehicle.
According to Porter and a witness, while inside the business, Duty told Higgins to take the handcuffs off of Porter. Higgins did not remove the handcuffs, and Duty allegedly said: "If you don't take them off, I will."
Then Duty went to his truck where he allegedly removed a hatchet-like tool and struck Porter in the face with it.
According to the probable cause statement, surveillance video from the business clearly shows Duty hitting Porter in the face with a tool.
In an interview with the Patrol on Jan. 30, Duty admitted he struck Porter after Porter threatened his family.
Duty was arrested and taken to the Mississippi County Jail, where he posted bond on Jan. 31.
As of Thursday, neither Higgins nor Porter have been charged in this matter.