Mercer County man arrested on felony domestic charges

BLUEFIELD, WV (LOOTPRESS) – A Mercer County Man was arrested earlier this month on charges related to a number of domestic incidents involving the mother of his children.

According to reports from Patrolman Lambert of the Bluefield Police Department, officer response was dispatched at approximately 11:17pm on 06/08/2022 for reports of a domestic situation in the Bluefield area.

Upon arriving at the residence, Lambert spoke with Elenora Farmer. Farmer advised that Larry Hamlin, the father of two of her children, had arrived at the residence in a state of intoxication and proceeded to choke and hit her several times.

Hamlin was not located at the residence at this point, and had apparently departed the scene prior to the arrival of authorities.

Farmer advised that the children were inside the house at the time of the incident, which is said to have occured in the driveway.

Injuries were observed on Farmer’s left neck area, which was red and displayed scratches and welts.

The victim was briefed on the process of attaining a Domestic Violence Petition and was encouraged to call for help should Hamlin return.

Officers responded hours later, at approximately 1:56am on 06/09/2022, to reports that Hamlin had returned to the residence and threatened Farmer.

Hamlin was once again unable to be found upon officer arrival, and Farmer opted to take the children to stay at the home of a relative.

Lambert returned to the residence once more at approximately 4:15am at Farmer’s request, as she hoped to retrieve some of her belongings from inside.

Upon entry to the residence, changes in the scene included a broken kitchen window and the presence of Hamlin’s shoes on the floor of the living room area.

A sweep of the area was conducted with the assistance of Patrolman Hamm, which led to Hamlin being located in the basement area of the residence.

Once Hamlin was taken into custody, transferred to the Bluefield Police Department, and processed, his criminal history revealed a pattern of similar behavior.

Hamlin was previously convicted of Domestic Battery and Domestic Assault on 05/27/2021, and of Domestic Battery on 01/14/2013.

Hamlin faces charges on two counts of felony domestic battery third offense and two counts of felony domestic assault third offense.