ROCKINGHAM — A man with prior convictions for violence is now accused of assaulting a woman and a small child.
Trashone Demar Patterson, 28, of Rockingham, allegedly assaulted a woman on June 4, leaving her with a bruised lip, bruises on her neck and scratches on her face.
According to a magistrate’s order, Patterson also choked the female victim, “almost causing her to lose consciousness.”
The order also accuses Patterson of slapping a 3-year-old child in the face.
Patterson was arrested by an officer with the Rockingham Police Department and charged with a felony count of assault by strangulation and a misdemeanor count of assault on a child under 12.
He was booked into the Richmond County Jail on a $25,000 secured bond and is scheduled to appear in court June 23.
Online court records show Patterson has no other pending charges in Richmond County, however there is a pending child support complaint in neighboring Scotland County.
Records with the N.C. Department of Adult Correction show Patterson has several prior convictions in Scotland County.
In 2021, Patterson was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury and assault on a female, as well as felony breaking and entering and larceny of firearms.
Records appear to show his probation was revoked in 2023 and the following charges were added: assault with a deadly weapon with a minor present; breaking and entering with the intent to terrorize or injure; and injury to real property.
Patterson was incarcerated for nearly three months.
All defendants facing criminal charges are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
