An Umatilla man accused of domestic battery is also facing drug charges after a deputy found marijuana and pills in his possession while arresting him at a Weirsdale Circle K store.
Richard Clarence Homelius, 48, was charged recently with domestic battery (second or subsequent offense), possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of less than 20 grams of marijuana. Homelius was convicted of domestic battery in Lake County in 1995 and has two prior domestic battery arrests in Marion County.
The victim told a Marion County sheriff’s deputy that Homelius became argumentative with her and left the residence. She said she fell asleep in her living room while he was gone, and Homelius returned and started yelling at her, according to the sheriff’s office report.
The victim said Homelius walked over to her chair and started kicking her in the legs. She said he then started to punch her in the left side of her face and top of her head with both fists as she was sitting in the chair. The victim said Homelius left the scene immediately afterward. The deputy observed blood on the victim’s head, where she said she was struck, and redness on the left side of her face, the report said.
Another deputy located Homelius at the Circle K store at 13873 SE Hwy. 42 in Weirsdale. Homelius told the deputy he left the residence to cool off but never returned to the residence. He said the argument never became physical. Homelius was arrested and taken to the Marion County Jail, according to the report.
While completing inventory of Homelius’ red GMC Yukon, a deputy found a Pepsi can with a lid that was altered to conceal drugs and/or paraphernalia. The can contained less than 20 grams of a green leafy substance that tested positive for marijuana. The deputy also found an Ibuprofen bottle containing small round orange pills that were later identified as Dextroamphetamine, a Schedule II controlled substance that can only be purchased with a prescription, the report said.
Interviewed at the jail, Homelius said the “weed” belonged to him. He said the orange pills were Adderall and he has a prescription for them, according to the report.
Homelius was released last Friday on $2,000 bond. He’s scheduled to appear in Marion County Court on May 12.