The Waynesboro Police Department has made arrests in two separate, felonious assaults on Waynesboro women this past Wednesday, September 30. Both victims knew their individual attackers.
John McShane Strother, 51 years old of Waynesboro, faces three charges from Wednesday’s incident and one charge from a September 13th incident on the same victim:
September 30
- Throw a Missile at an Occupied Vehicle (f)
- Stalking (m)
- Disorderly Conduct (m)
September 13
- Assault & Battery on a Family or Household Member (m)
Joseph Lee Goodwin, 41 years old of Waynesboro, faces three charges from Wednesday’s incident and two charges from a September 12th incident on the same victim:
September 30
- Abduction (f)
- Strangulation (f)
- Assault & Battery on a Family or Household Member (m)
September 12
- Abduction (f)
- Malicious Wounding (f)
In the Strother incident, officers responded to a business in the 1400 block of New Hope Road at approximately 8:35 AM, to investigate a man harassing his ex-wife at her workplace. When officers arrived, Strother had already fled. The officers spoke with the victim, who showed signs of being terrified, and three of her co-workers who witnessed the incident.
They told police that Strother blocked his ex-wife in her vehicle when she arrived for work. He would not let her get out of her vehicle on the parking lot so she honked her horn to get her co-workers’ attention. When the witnesses approached, Strother, who was armed with a pick axe, threatened them not to get involved. He then cursed and threatened the victim and threw numerous items at her vehicle including the pick axe. He then fled when he realized police officers had been summoned.
Approximately an hour later, officers tracked down Strother to an alley near Harding Avenue in Waynesboro. Several officers were needed to arrest him when he got violent by kicking and spitting at them. At the time of his arrest, Strother was wanted on a single charge for assault & battery on the same victim on September 13. He is being held without bond at Middle River Regional Jail.
In the Goodwin incident, officers responded to a residence in the 500 block of Arch Avenue at approximately 3:25 PM for a report of violent argument between a man and woman. When officers arrived, they were unable to locate either subject. Officers eventually located the 38 year old female victim at a house one block up from the original address. She was distraught and had torn clothing and injuries on her neck and head.
She told officers that Goodwin, whom she is a relationship with, “went off” on her. He grabbed her by the throat and repeatedly hit her head on the floor. His grip was so tight around her neck that it also prevented her from breathing. The victim tried to escape but Goodwin would hit her head on the floor again. He then let her go and she escaped to a neighbor’s house. Goodwin then fled on foot.
The victim was transported to Augusta Health for treatment of her injuries. Officers attempted to locate Goodwin in the area. Approximately 45 minutes later, an officer saw a man fitting Goodwin’s description head back into the Arch Avenue residence. Officers, armed with arrest warrants, searched the residence and found Goodwin hiding in a closest.
Officers also charged Goodwin for a September 12th incident when Goodwin broke the victim’s arm. Goodwin and the victim were driving home along North Delphine Avenue when they had an argument. He made her get out of the vehicle and then drove off. She began walking south when he came back around in the vehicle. As he drove, he grabbed her by the arm and dragged her down the street before finally letting go of her arm.
Goodwin is being held at Middle River Regional Jail without bond.
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Chris Graham
