An Ashland City man is facing an aggravated assault charge after police say he chased a group of teenagers who allegedly removed an anti-ICE sign from his yard and then strangled a 17-year-old driver during a confrontation at a local auto parts store.
According to an arrest affidavit from the Ashland City Police Department obtained by WKRN News 2, 37-year-old Jacob Barta was arrested on June 7 following an altercation involving a teenage male at O’Reilly Auto Parts in Ashland City.
The incident reportedly began after three young males allegedly removed an “END ICE” sign from the front yard of Jacob Barta’s residence. According to the report, Jacob Barta told officers he witnessed the sign being taken and followed the vehicle to O’Reilly Auto Parts.
Witnesses reportedly told investigators that a confrontation occurred in the parking lot after the vehicles arrived.
Multiple witnesses further reported that Jacob Barta approached the vehicle, opened the driver’s side door, grabbed the 17-year-old by the throat, and began strangling him. Witnesses also reportedly told police that Jacob Barta removed the keys from the vehicle’s ignition and refused to return them.
The confrontation reportedly escalated after another individual at the auto parts store displayed a handgun during the incident in an effort to stop the alleged assault.
WKRN reported that Jacob Barta’s sister, Louisa Barta, challenged claims that her brother strangled the teenager.
During an interview with the television station, she said her brother regretted his actions but denied that a strangulation occurred. She also told WKRN that anti-ICE signs had allegedly been stolen from the property on multiple occasions prior to the incident.
WKRN reported that the affidavit said the officer responding to the incident noticed “visible red marks” around the teenager’s throat.
“[H]e wouldn’t have acted if we hadn’t been getting harassed for several months at this point,” Jacob Barta’s sister said.
Jacob Barta was charged with aggravated assault on a minor. Jail records reviewed by WKRN show he was booked into the Cheatham County Jail on June 7 on a $15,000 bond and was released later that afternoon.
The outlet said court records show Jacob Barta is scheduled to appear in court on July 22.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
