Community leader charged with allegedly assaulting his girlfriend; pleads not guilty
Franklin County, WA — UPDATE: Joel Watson appeared in court on July 12th where he plead not guilty to Assault in the 2nd Degree, a Class B felony.
The judge signed a no-contact order for the alleged victim in the case.
Watson was released on his personal recognizance and received no bail. His trial is set for September 21, 2022.
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Joel Watson, a leader in the community and owner of Just Joel's in Kennewick, has been charged with 2nd Degree Assault Domestic Violence according to court documents obtained by Action News.
Documents say a Pasco Patrol Officer encountered a woman at the Trios Emergency Room in December of 2021 who had allegedly been assaulted earlier that evening.
Court documents reveal the investigation eventually lead to Watson. Documents say Watson and his girlfriend were coming from a bar in Burbank, WA, when an argument started.
According to court documents, Watson reportedly struck his girlfriend in the face and demanded she leave the vehicle, but eventually dropped her off at her residence.
Later, documents say medical records showed the woman received a minimal comminuted fracture to her nose.
On June 15, a judge found probable cause Watson committed a crime.
KEPR reached out to Watson about the charges.
He did not provide any comments.
Action News will continue to update this story.
