Monday afternoon disturbance leads to arrests of Norfolk man, woman

NORFOLK, Neb. -- Authorities arrested a Norfolk man and woman following a disturbance call for various charges Monday afternoon.

The Stanton County Sheriff's Office said around 1:45 p.m., they got a report of a physical disturbance at the Off-Road Ranch, southeast of Norfolk. 

Authorities said they 911 call indicated that a woman was being assaulted and choked by a man who was on top of her while on the ground. 

When officials arrived, the man, 52-year-old Barry Nichols of Norfolk, was found and reportedly refused to cooperate. SCSO said he was subdued and placed into handcuffs. 

The woman, 51-year-old Tonya Angell (Plessel), was reportedly found to have marks on her neck, and she was medically treated at the scene, according to authorities. 

The Sheriff's Office said that Nichols was placed under arrest for third-degree assault, strangulation and disturbing the peace. He was jailed pending the setting of a bond. 

Sheriff Mike Unger said that two knives and brass knuckles were also found on Nichols during his arrest and were seized. 

Angell was reportedly found to have five felony arrest warrants out of Madison County for assault and drug charges, as well as failing to appear for court, according to the Sheriff's Office. 

Angell was arrested for the warrants and jailed in Madison. 

Unger said that illegal drug use is considered to be a contributing factor to the disturbance.