Lafayette Man Charged With Battery After Chokehold
Prosecutors have charged a 32-year-old man following a violent domestic incident that left a woman unconscious.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Violence
Police in Lafayette have arrested 32-year-old Devaisure Antwon Smith after he allegedly placed a woman in a chokehold. The incident, witnessed by a neighbor, resulted in the victim, Pamela Ledman, losing consciousness for nearly one minute.
Why it matters
Domestic violence incidents involving strangulation are treated with high severity by the legal system due to the extreme danger posed to victims. Authorities rely on both witness testimony and surveillance evidence to build cases against suspects in these violent disputes.
Devaisure Antwon Smith faces a formal charge of domestic battery causing serious bodily injury. The investigation is currently proceeding based on surveillance video of the incident at N. 13th Street and Salem Street.
The players
Devaisure Antwon Smith
The 32-year-old defendant who was arrested and charged with domestic battery causing serious bodily injury.
Pamela Ledman
The victim in the incident who was placed in a chokehold and lost consciousness for nearly one minute.
Micaela Ohlemecher
A witness residing in a nearby apartment who observed the altercation as it unfolded.
The details
Police were dispatched to the corner of N. 13th Street and Salem Street after reports of a physical altercation. Surveillance footage reportedly captured Smith grabbing, pulling, and shoving Ledman before restricting her airway, despite his claim that the encounter was meant to be playful.
Timeline
October 19, 2026: Police responded to the reported battery incident at 2:13 p.m.
Legal Context
This case follows the standard investigative protocols established by the Indiana criminal code's definition of battery causing serious bodily injury. Prosecutors use these specific legal frameworks to classify and pursue charges in domestic incidents where physical harm occurs.
Residents near N. 13th Street and Salem Street should remain aware that this investigation is currently active following the recent arrest. The case highlights the importance of reporting suspected domestic abuse immediately to local law enforcement to ensure community safety.
The takeaway
Domestic disputes that escalate to physical violence often carry serious legal consequences regardless of the intent claimed by the participants. Experts advise that any incident involving loss of consciousness should be treated as a critical emergency requiring immediate police intervention.
Further reading
For more updates on local public safety, visit the Lafayette Violence page.
