Pretrial Detention Denied for Alleged Child Abuser, Released on Bond

Authur Lee Hall, 37, was arrested on April 9 and charged with burglary, domestic battery and child cruelty. 

The victim called 911 around 11:00 p.m. to report that Hall was on her property. 

911 dispatchers heard a struggle while talking to the victim. Dispatchers heard the victim yell “Get off me” and “Stop choking me” before she returned to the call and said it wasn’t safe for her to speak. 

Hall fled the scene shortly before police arrived. 

The victim told police that she saw someone creeping near her window before hearing her garage open. The victim found Hall standing outside when she went to see what was happening. 

The victim reportedly asked Hall why he was at the residence, and he replied, “Why is your guy friend here?” 

Hall had a key to the garage, as he used to live at the residence months ago, but he was not invited over. 

The victim reported that Hall verbally and sexually assaulted her before stating, “I’m going to jail anyway,” and choking her. 

Hall reportedly entered the victim’s residence while battering her. The victim began fighting back, and Hall pushed her on the ground. The victim was able to get up and push Hall out of her residence. Hall pushed the door back open and ran into the victim’s bedroom. 

The victim’s nine-year-old family member reportedly attempted to defend her, and Hall pushed the child away. 

Gainesville Police Department Officer Gregory Meshes reported that Hall “advised that he drove his rental vehicle to a nearby church located down the street. He left the vehicle there and walked to the residence to find out if the victim had anyone over, such as another man. [Hall] admitted that he did not live at the residence anymore and would not elaborate on why he parked his vehicle so far away. [Hall] said he walked into the residence to look for another man and said the victim pushed him first to get him out of the residence. [Hall] said he only pushed her back because she was pushing him. [Hall] said he did not try to choke her and did not know if he pushed [the child]. [Hall] said he fled the scene because he knew the victim called the police. [Hall] admitted that he and the victim had been separated since [November, 2024] and was jealous that she might have had another man over.”

The State Attorney’s Office filed a pretrial detention motion on Hall, but it was denied by Judge David Kreider on April 17. 

Hall was released after posting a $60,000 bond.