Beckett arrested for domestic assault, other violent charges

An Ash Grove resident was booked into the Greene County Jail on Monday, Sept. 7, on a variety of charges. Dustin Beckett, 35, faces two counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon, one count of Third-Degree Domestic Assault, one count of Fourth-Degree Domestic Assault, one count of Second-Degree Property Damage and one count of First-Degree Child Endangerment.
The charges stem from two separate incidents, both involving the same victim. The first incident took place on June 23, 2019 at a residence in Springfield. According to the probable cause statement in the case, the victim reported that she drove Beckett to the residence to get some clothes and that out of nowhere, he punched her. She also said Beckett broke both windshields on her vehicle with an ax and then struck her with it. An officer reported finding the victim’s vehicle with damage to the windshield; an ax was found in the bed of a truck parked behind the victim’s vehicle.
Relative corroborates details
The officer reported that a relative of Beckett’s was uncooperative in answering questions about the incident, but did provide some information. The relative said the victim and Beckett were yelling back and forth, and then Beckett pulled out a weapon, which he started swinging; the relative also said Beckett pulled out a second weapon.
Next, the relative said, Beckett retrieved an ax and threw it at the back window of the victim’s car, and the ax broke the window. The relative also said Beckett and the victim went to the backyard of the residence and out of sight; he also said they were hitting each other with their hands. The officer reported that the relative refused to speak further about what happened.
Eye witness account
A witness to the incident said she observed the victim backing out of the driveway of the residence while yelling at Beckett about wanting her “phone and cigarettes;” Beckett yelled at her to leave.
The witness said the victim pulled out of the driveway a little further and then drove towards Beckett and then around the south side of the residence, where the witness said she lost sight of Beckett and the victim.
The witness also said she saw Beckett with a machete in his hand, and that he threw it at the back of the victim’s car as she drove by him.
The witness said she heard the victim screaming, so she went to help her. She said she didn’t see where Beckett went, and that the victim was saying she couldn’t see. An officer reported finding a machete in the front yard, which the witness said was used in the assault.
Probable cause
In the probable cause statement, an officer reported finding the victim “holding her head and making groaning sounds that sounded like heaving sounds mixed together.” The victim also said she could not see, complained of excruciating pain and said she couldn’t hear out of her left ear. It was also reported that medical records showed the victim had injuries consistent with being struck as she was sitting in her car at the time.
Officers made contact with Beckett over the phone; Beckett said he would not meet with the officers.
Second incident
The second incident occurred on Monday, Sept. 7, in Willard. According to the probable cause statement in that case, the victim said Beckett assaulted her as she was driving them and their infant child back to Ash Grove after swimming at Snow Bluff River in Polk County. The victim said they were arguing when Beckett, without provocation, punched her in the face repeatedly while they were driving. The victim reported that the infant was in a car seat between them and was injured as a result.
The victim said she was able to stop the car, and that a witness to the assault came to check on her.
The witness said Beckett got out of the car and left as he approached.