According to Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron an investigation of a residential burglary has led to a separate investigation into an assault with a Wayne County man being arrested on felony charges.
Sheriff Office Deputies Joe Horne, Chris Lyon and Cody Neal responded to a burglary in process complaint located on Godsey Road at 11 am January 22, 2025. Upon their arrival Deputies were informed by the homeowner that when he returned home, he found a male family member replacing a window air conditioner. The family member admitted to the homeowner that he had taken the air conditioner out and entered the residence and stole some food items. The male suspect had already left the scene before the Deputies arrival. Deputies then located the male suspect inside his elderly mother’s residence a short distance away. When speaking to the male Deputies noticed his mother had signs that she had been severely beaten. The mother stated she had fallen outside which caused her injuries. The mother continuously stated this is what caused the injuries. Deputies then had Wayne County Emergency Medical Service dispatch to the residence. The mother was then transported to the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital for treatment of her injuries. Deputy Horne then arrested Eric L. Steele on the charge of burglary-2nd degree and was lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.
At approximately 3 pm the Sheriff Office was contacted by another family member and stating the mother was now saying that her son was the reason for her injuries. Deputies Hone and Neal then went to the hospital where the mother informed them that her son Eric had choked and beat her starting on Monday and again beat her on Tuesday evening, which caused her injuries. The injuries were consistent with her account of the events.
Deputy Horne and Neal returned to the Detention Center had charged Eric Steele with assault-2nd degree (domestic violence) and strangulation-1st degree (domestic violence related).
Steele remains in the Wayne County Detention Center on a $ 50,000.00 Bond.
in other unrelated arrests
Wayne County Sheriff Tim Catron reports the following arrests.
Shanda Fuentes oof Monticello, KY. was arrested on a Wayne County District Court Warrant of Arrest for failure to appear for Arraignment on the underlying charge of harassing communications.
Sara M. Miller of Monticello, KY. was arrested on a Pulaski County District Court Warrant of Arrest for failure to pay on the underlying charge of failure of owner to maintain required insurance.
Fuentes was released from custody after posting a Bond. Miller was lodged in the Wayne County Detention Center.