Man arrested after domestic incident in Powhatan | News, Sports, Jobs

RAY ALLEN FOX JR.

POWHATAN POINT – A Powhatan Point man is facing numerous charges following a domestic violence incident that led to a standoff with police on Wednesday.

Belmont County Sheriff David Lucas spoke about the arrest during a press conference Thursday morning.

On Wednesday at 1:58 p.m., the Belmont County Sheriff's Office received a call reporting a domestic violence incident in Powhatan between a woman and 46-year-old Ray Allen Fox Jr., who was taken into custody.

Sheriff's deputies arrived at the Industrial Street address to assist the Powhatan Police Department, which is currently investigating. Also on scene were the Ohio State Highway Patrol, a Powhatan Emergency Response Squad and representatives from the Belmont County Animal Shelter.

When officers arrived at the scene, they attempted unsuccessfully to make contact with Fox and the woman in the house.

“They tried again and again,” said Lucas. “But they knew the party was inside and got no response.”

At that point, the sheriff said, the Belmont County Special Forces Unit was asked to respond.

When officers arrived on scene, they negotiated with Fox and the woman while they were still inside the home. The woman left the home at 4:40 p.m. while Fox was still inside, Lucas said.

“We don’t want to be the attacker,” said Lucas. “We are in a situation.”

After several hours of negotiations with Fox, law enforcement decided to break down the front door of the residence. At 5:27 p.m., K-9 Xyrem was ready to enter.

Officers gave Fox verbal instructions and informed him that K-9 Xyrem would enter the trailer. At 5:30 p.m. – just three minutes later – Fox exited the trailer.

After leaving the apartment, police arrested Fox without further incident.

“Xyrem was not used,” said Lucas. “But it just shows that Xyrem is a deputy himself and does what he was trained to do. And thanks to the police dog, the incident came to him without anyone being hurt.”

Fox was arrested and charged with two counts of failure to appear in connection with previous charges of domestic violence and obstruction of office. He was also charged with kidnapping, domestic violence, strangulation and violation of a protection order.

Fox was being held without bail in the Belmont County Jail on Thursday. The woman involved was not arrested.

Lucas said the Special Operations Division is very important because it includes officers from the Belmont County Sheriff's Office and various local police departments who are trained each month to respond to high-risk incidents.

“That’s what we want,” said Lucas. “We want to come to a solution, a safe solution without incidents, and this is just a good (example) of everyone just taking their time and negotiating to a safe end.”