AACo. Sheriff Arrested In Domestic Incident Denies Wrongdoing

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)--  Anne Arundel County Sheriff Ronald Bateman was arrested Sunday evening for an alleged attack on his wife at the couple's Pasadena home.

Sheriff Bateman admitted to police he was drinking before getting into an argument with his wife, but says he never once hit her like she claims.

Tracey Leong has the latest.

Sheriff Ronald Bateman's wife says an argument with her husband turned physical Sunday evening in their Pasadena home.

In charging documents obtained by WJZ, Ms. Bateman said her husband threw her into a wall in the craft room and she hit the back of her head.

And then Mr. Bateman hit her in the left side of her face and her mouth.

54-year-old Sheriff Bateman was arrested and charged with second degree assault. He was processed and released Sunday night.

The sheriff denies hitting his wife releasing a statement to WJZ saying, "I categorically deny ever assaulting my wife.  We had an emotional family dispute which led the police to come to our home. I love my wife dearly and I am confident she loves me"

Bateman has served as the Anne Arundel County Sheriff for 10 years.

Neighbors and friends say these domestic assault charges come as a surprise.

"I  can't see him hurting anybody, I really can't," said Neil Mason, who's a family friend.

Mason has known Mr. Bateman for several years and says the story does not add up.

"I think there's some confusion somewhere, until everything is done, everybody's innocent," he says.

Anne Arundel County police are leading the investigation, acknowledging their close working relationship with the sheriff's office, but say this will not impact the case

"It's uncharted territory for the county and it's safe to say that people are trying to find the answers  I  need," said Anne Arundel County Police Chief Timothy Altomare.

A child was inside the home at the time of the incident , but they were not injured.

Sheriff Bateman has been placed on administrative duties and his weapon and credentials have been taken as a standard protocol during the investigation.

A prosecutor outside Anne Arundel County, Steve Kroll will handle this case.