A man charged with assaulting a former friend receives a 15-year sentence. John Anthony Evans has been incarcerated in the Bartow County Jail since March 2019. He appeared before Judge Suzanne Smith via Zoom Tuesday. He received a 15-year sentence with credit for time served, he must serve the remainder on probation. On February 3rd, 2019 the Adairsville Police department was contacted by a woman who had been violently assaulted. The resident of the Summer Street home told police that while she slept, 37 year old, John Anthony Evans entered her residence and got in bed with her. She awoke and asked him why he was there; the woman said he had become violent. He struck her in the face numerous times and strangled her. A short time later she left the house and walked to the Adairsville Police Department for help.
Officers surrounded the house and attempted to make entry, discovering Evans had barricaded himself in the residence by driving nails into the doors. After obtaining arrest warrants for aggravated assault as well as battery, Adairsville Police along with Bartow County deputies and a K-9 made entry into the home. Evans was found hiding under duct work and insulation in a small attic space.
A month prior, the same woman attempted to escape Evans from his Gordon County home. She ran to a neighbor for help. Evans struck the neighbor’s car and was charged with second-degree criminal damage to property. He will receive credit for completing a drug, alcohol, and violence treatment program. He must complete 100 hours of community service and pay a $1,000 fine.