Two men charged with assault after allegedly attacking mayor
HARDIN COUNTY, Tenn. – Two men have been charged with assault after an alleged altercation with a local mayor.
Former Saltillo Mayor David Willis and resident Kenneth Wade were arrested on Friday, December 15. Both are charged with assault after an altercation with current Saltillo Mayor Gregory Billings.
“Upon arrival, I spoke with Gregory Billings, the victim. Gregory has stated that David Willis and Kenneth Wade pulled up to his truck at the intersection,” said Hardin County Sheriff Johnny Alexander.
After getting out of the vehicle, Willis began filming Wade.
In the footage, officers state that Wade looked like the aggressor to Billings.
“The altercation from the video indicates Kenneth as the primary aggressor. Kenneth put his finger in Gregory’s face first. Gregory at this time looked as though he had swung in defense at Kenneth when he third blown Willis attempted,” Alexander said.
Authorities say there were choice words spoken to Billings during the altercation as well.
“In this video, David replied to Gregory with, ‘I got something to cure your pain buddy. That’s a promise. All I’ve got to do is make a phone call and there will be 25 people here,’” Alexander said.
At the end of the video, Willis is shown stomping on Billing’s prescription glasses.
This altercation allegedly happened because Mayor Billings used inappropriate words to refer to Wade’s wife and Willis was tired of a road flooding in town.
Both gentlemen have been bonded out and their court date will be Tuesday, January 23, 2024.
Willis has also been charged with vandalism.
Find updates on local crime here.
