Alex Smith, 28, of Steelville was arrested Feb. 26 on allegations of burglary in the first degree, stealing and domestic assault in the third degree. 

Smith was taken into custody and is currently being held at the Crawford County Detention Center. He was originally being held on a no-bond warrant, but after a hearing on March 2, the court set bond at $10,000 cash or surety with added conditions.

Smith may have no contact with the victim or witnesses, must be electronically monitored and may not possess a firearm, alcohol or any controlled substance without a valid prescription.

A preliminary hearing will be held at 1 p.m. on March 19 at the Crawford County Courthouse.

According to a probable cause statement filed by the Steelville Police Department, on Feb. 25, Sgt. Brian Friedmann was dispatched to the 100 block of Birdsnest Road for a report of a burglary. While enroute, Friedmann was advised that Smith had broken into the residence, assaulted the victim and left in his tan Toyota Corolla.

When Friedmann arrived, the victim told him that Smith had entered her residence when she was giving her child a bath and on the phone with the child’s father.

“She stated that Alex was upset that she was on the phone with another man and grabbed her, and began swinging her around,” Friedmann wrote in his report.

Friedmann noted “minor reddening” on the victim’s forearms. The victim also alleged that Smith had stolen her marijuana and her vape. A neighbor across the street witnessed the incident.

Friedmann then attempted to make contact with Smith at his residence in the 100 block of Hawthorn Street. He observed Smith’s vehicle in the driveway, but Smith did not answer the door after several attempts from Friedmann.

The following day, Friedmann made contact with Smith at his residence. Smith claimed he was invited to the victim’s residence earlier in the day and left after an argument. He denied assaulting the victim and anything further happening.

Upon returning to the victim’s residence, Friedmann received confirmation of her account from the previous day, noting a small bruise on her right leg. 

He then went back again to Smith’s residence, where Smith confirmed returning to the victim’s residence after the earlier argument but denied going inside or assaulting her. He also claimed he was scratched and punched by the victim. 

Friedmann wrote in his report that he did not observe any scratches or marks in the areas that Smith indicated. He placed Smith under arrest and transported him to the Crawford County Detention Center.

Prosecuting Attorney David Smith filed a felony charge against Smith which cites his persistent felony offender status. Smith has been convicted of tampering with a motor vehicle, stealing a firearm, burglary in the second degree and two other counts of stealing.

According to a petition for Rent and Possession, Smith also faces a civil case for nonpayment of rent at his residence in Steelville. As of Feb. 10, he allegedly owes $3,300 to JTS Management. A hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on March 18 at the Crawford County Courthouse.