54-year-old James L. Benton of Waynesville has been arraigned in Pulaski County Associate Circuit Court

54-year-old James L. Benton of Waynesville has been arraigned in Pulaski County Associate Circuit Court in Waynesville on charges of domestic assault in the second degree, unlawful use of a weapon, and resisting arrest. Court documents allege that on March 18th, Benton knowingly caused physical injury to another person by placing the victim in a headlock, choking, and throwing the victim to the ground. Court documents further allege that Benton knowingly exhibited, in the presence of one or more persons, a handgun, a weapon readily capable of lethal use, in an angry or threatening manner. Finally, court documents allege that Benton resisted his arrest by using or threatening the use of violence, physical force, and/or physical interference in that Benton barricaded himself in his residence and refused to come out or open his door. Benton entered a not-guilty plea to the charges. Judge Colin Long ordered Benton to personally appear for a March 27th counsel status hearing and an April 10th preliminary hearing.