Cody Hastings (Photo courtesy of Baxter County Sheriff’s Office)
A Missouri man who hitchhiked to the Mountain Home area with two dogs and his clothes and ended up being arrested for attacking his ex-girlfriend appeared during a session of Baxter County Circuit Court last Monday.
Thirty-eight-year-old Cody James Hastings of Republic pled not guilty to charges of aggravated assault on a family or household member, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.
Hastings asked the court for a reduction of his $25,000 bond and said he intended to enter an addiction treatment program in Missouri.
Circuit Judge John Putman lowered Hastings’ bond to $15,000. The state strongly objected to any reduction in the bond because of the nature of the charges against Hastings and his criminal history.
In a sentencing memorandum filed in federal court for the Western District of Missouri, Hastings’ history and actions are described as “reflecting a person with a complete lack of respect for the law and a proclivity to place the community at large in danger.”
The author of the memorandum reports Hastings is violent and that his criminal record began when he was 18-years-old and has continued throughout his adult life. Hastings “has demonstrated that he will violate the law whenever and wherever it suits him,” according to the federal court sentencing memorandum that was filed in 2019.
According to Federal Bureau of Prisons’ records, Hastings was last released from federal custody on 12-29-23.
BAXTER COUNTY ARREST
On August 31, a Baxter County sheriff’s deputy responded to a 911 call reporting a physical domestic disturbance at a residence along County Road 310.
While the deputy spoke to the victim, Hastings was reported to have started yelling at the woman and then rushed at her. The deputy told Hastings to stay back and he replied he would “do whatever I want.”
The deputy described Hastings as highly agitated and appearing to be under the influence of some type of substance.
When Hastings tried to rush the victim a second time, he was taken into custody. As he was being placed in the deputy’s patrol car, Hastings lunged forward in an effort escape and hit the top of his head on window guard bars, cutting his scalp.
The victim said she had been in a relationship with Hastings at one time, but they broke up and he moved to Missouri.
During the argument, the victim said Hastings had grabbed her by the throat for a few seconds, and a “faint bruise” was noted on her neck. She said he also grabbed her by the arm at one point.
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