After his wife accused him of threatening to beat her, an Alabama lawmaker was detained on a domestic violence charge.
News outlets reported that Republican Representative Tracy Estes, 57, of Winfield, was incarcerated on Friday night on a misdemeanor allegation of third-degree domestic violence. He was not still in custody as of Saturday afternoon, according to the online records of Marion County jail.
In a legal filing, Christina Estes, the wife of the lawmaker, claimed that her husband began cursing at her during an altercation at their residence on Friday evening. She stated that he spent two hours pounding on the door and threatening to attack her after she locked herself in a bedroom.
The court record stated that this type of behavior has transpired on numerous occasions since their marriage.
Christina Estes was granted a protective order by a judge, which forbids her spouse from approaching her or their residence within 300 feet (90 meters). Additionally, Tracy Estes was required to surrender any firearms that he possesses.
On Saturday, Tracy Estes’ telephone number was unavailable, and he did not respond to an email inquiry for comment. He did not immediately disclose whether or not he retained an attorney.
In 2018, Estes was elected to the Alabama House. In northwest Alabama, his 17th District seat encompasses Lamar, Marion, and Winston counties.
House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter acknowledged that he was cognizant of the arrest.
“I am cognizant of the circumstances surrounding Rep. Estes and am confident that our justice system will establish an appropriate course of action,” Ledbetter stated in a statement. It is my expectation that House Members will be above reproach in both their professional and personal lives, as Alabamans deserve nothing less than the highest quality from their elected officials.