Sussex Man Slaps Woman After She Told Him No Smoking Indoors

A Sussex man is facing charges after he allegedly slapped a woman after they got into an argument about smoking inside, and then got into a fight about losing his cell phone.

Stephen R. White, 26, was charged in Wednesday with one count of battery domestic abuse, one counts of disorderly conduct domestic abuse, and one count of illegally obtaining prescription pills. If convicted, he faces up to 21 months in prison and $12,500 in fines.

According to the criminal complaint:

White and the victim got into an argument Monday inside their apartment in the N6000 block of Maple Avenue after he tried to light a cigarette inside and she told him to take it outside, but he ignored her.

At one point the cigarette went out and the victim tried to show him, but White wouldn’t believe her. White then thought the victim broke the cigarette so he slapped her.

Later in the evening White accused the victim of taking his cell phone and began yelling at her, even though the phone was later found in the bathroom.

Another resident in the complex called police, and when they arrived they found various pills within the apartment, which White didn’t have a prescription for.

White is free on a $1,500 signature bond while awaiting trial.