Newport Man Charged After Allegedly Threatening Woman, Kids in Car

A Newport man received domestic assault and disorderly conduct charges after he allegedly threatened harm to his girlfriend in front of a car full of children.

Joseph R. Smith, 30, of Newport, was arrested by at 5:55 p.m., Wednesday, May 30. He was charged with domestic simple assault and battery and domestic disorderly conduct.

Officers were dispatched to the parking lot of , 1800 Main Road, for a report of a domestic incident in progress, said Lt. Patrick Jones. Officers spoke to a woman who said she got into an argument with her boyfriend, Smith, while in a car ride with five children between the ages of 4 and 12. Jones said fighting reportedly began in a car ride in Portsmouth, and continued over the Sakonnet River Bridge into Tiverton.

Once they pulled into the parking lot, Smith allegedly yelled and threatened her, saying he'd "kick her in the face and kick her out of the car," according to Jones. The woman, feeling threatened, called police. Jones said one of the children alleged that Smith had turned facing the back seats and allegedly raised his hand, threatening to strike them.

"It appeared as though the boyfriend was going to strike the woman," Jones said. "Based on that, he was taken into custody."