Jasper County deputy arrests Buna man for felony continuous family violence

BUNA, Texas — A Buna man was arrested Monday evening after allegedly assaulting his live-in girlfriend, according to the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputy Roy was dispatched at 7:52 p.m. Aug. 18 to a residence on County Road 740 regarding a reported assault. The victim told deputies that her boyfriend, Joseph Michael Griffith, 37, struck her in the face with his fist and hit her several times in the kidney area, causing pain and visible bruising.

Griffith was found inside the home and taken into custody without incident. Investigators noted he has two prior arrests for assault family violence, including one within the past year.

He was booked into the Jasper County Jail on a charge of continuous violence against a family member, a third-degree felony.

Authorities emphasized that Griffith is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

Sheriff Chuck Havard said he and his staff remain committed to addressing family violence and other criminal activity in Jasper County.