Police officer accused of violence against two women
Published: January 30, 2013
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ST. THOMAS - A V.I. Police officer was released on his own recognizance Tuesday morning and is on paid leave after being arrested in connection with a domestic violence incident involving two women.
Travis Wyatt, who has been with the V.I. Police Department for about a year and a half according to court documents, was arrested shortly before 11 p.m. Monday night after one of the victims told police she got into an argument with Wyatt after she got home from work around 6 p.m.
Wyatt, 24, of Lindbergh Bay, was arrested and charged with two counts of assault and one count of disturbance of the peace.
As of Tuesday night, Wyatt was on leave with pay pending further internal review of his case, according to a police press release.
The victim said she told Wyatt she was going to go out for a little while with her mother, and Wyatt "got upset and started cursing," according to a probable cause fact sheet by V.I. Police Officer Celeste Potter.
Wyatt left the home, but returned later as the victim was putting on makeup, Potter wrote. Wyatt came into the woman's bedroom and "continued to curse her about going out."
"She stated that when she put on the dress that she chose to go out in, that upset Mr. Wyatt even more," the fact sheet states. "She stated that he told her that she was not going anywhere in that dress."
The victim replied, "Why don't you take me somewhere nice," so she could wear the dress, the fact sheet states.
Wyatt then "got really upset" and began cursing the victim more, Potter wrote. He then approached the victim and threatened to injure her.
Shortly after, the other female victim, who was in another room, came into the room where Wyatt was confronting the first victim, according to the fact sheet. The second woman "begged Travis Wyatt to stop" and got between them.
Wyatt shoved both women into a dresser, then began pulling the first woman's hair, Potter wrote. He then hit the first woman in the nose with the heel of his hand, causing her nose to bleed, and struck her with a closed fist, Potter wrote.
The second woman tried to intervene again, and Wyatt again pushed her out of the way, according to the fact sheet.
Eventually, the first victim was able to yell to a neighbor to call 911.
The first woman sustained abrasions to the left side of her back and arm, Potter wrote. She also had a bloody nose and complained of her head hurting from Wyatt pulling her braids.
The second victim declined to speak with police. She suffered a contusion and a small laceration to her forehead.
Magistrate Judge Alan Smith released Wyatt, who has no previous arrests, on his own recognizance after his advice-of-rights hearing Tuesday morning.
In the release, Acting Police Commissioner Rodney Querrard Sr. said, "it's a sad day anytime an officer who is sworn to uphold the law is arrested for breaking the law."
Querrard also noted that officers are well aware of the consequences of domestic violence.
"It is part of the police academy curriculum, and in my address to every graduating class I emphasize that domestic violence can ruin your police career," he said.
- Contact reporter Lou Mattei at 714-9124 or email lmattei@dailynews.vi.
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