Editor’s Note: The following article describes a case of alleged domestic violence. While care has been taken to report on the allegations with sensitivity, it may still be disturbing to read. If you are experiencing domestic or sexual violence, or if you’re a survivor of the same and in need of support, call Christos House’s hotline, 800-611-5853.
A West Plains man has been charged with felony second-degree domestic assault after allegedly choking a pregnant woman, striking her in the head and threatening to kill her during an argument.
Michael L. Roberts, 43, faces the class D felony charge following a July 8 incident investigated by West Plains Police Officer Daiman Meyer.
According to court documents, officers were dispatched to the Ozarks Healthcare emergency room regarding an assault. Meyer reported the victim appeared to be in pain, was holding her neck and crying. She told the officer she was about three months pregnant and had been dating Roberts for about three months.
The victim reported the dispute began in an apartment complex parking lot after she confronted Roberts about missing property belonging to her recently deceased grandfather, which she suspected his friends had stolen.
She stated that when she tried to retrieve her belongings from the bed of a pickup truck, Roberts grabbed her from behind, wrapped his arm around her neck and squeezed. Meyer noted the Victim demonstrated the chokehold, which the officer described as a blood-constricting "rear naked choke.”
The victim told police she was unable to breathe for over a minute until she elbowed Roberts in the stomach. As he released her, Roberts allegedly struck her in the back of the head with his fist or elbow. The officer noted a brown bruise on the victim's left forearm caused by Roberts forcefully grabbing her.
As she was leaving, the victim said, the suspect called her derogatory names and threatened to kill her.
Officers searched the area immediately after the report but were unable to locate Roberts. Court records show a summons has been issued for Roberts to make an initial appearance Aug. 31 before Associate Circuit Judge R. David Ray.
The case is being prosecuted by Howell County Prosecutor Mike Hutchings. Court records show Roberts currently has four other pending felony cases in Howell County, including a August 2025 charge for drug possession. In March 2023, he pleaded guilty to felony resisting arrest, arson and drug possession, receiving concurrent prison sentences of up to five years.
