At approximately 3:30 a.m. Wednesday the Washington Parish Sheriff’s Office was advised of a battery that had occurred on Hansen Road in the Isabel area.

Sheriff’s Office deputies and a Louisiana State Police trooper responded to the call and met with the victim, who had significant injuries to her face. She told investigators her husband, Ronald Willette, had beaten her that morning and was inside their residence next door. The victim was transported by ambulance to the hospital, where she was treated and released.

The deputies and trooper then went to Willette’s residence and attempted to talk with him. Authorities said he looked through a window at the officers but refused to open the door. Other deputies arrived at the scene, and all took up tactical positions around the residence. Officers did not know if Willette had weapons and were concerned about a dog that was inside the residence and barking, they said.

Officers called for back up, and several more deputies, the Sheriff’s Office tactical team and a Sheriff’s Office negotiator arrived. After several unsuccessful attempts by the negotiator to talk with Willette and convince him to surrender, the tactical team entered into the residence and encountered Willette coming out of a rear bedroom.

He was taken into custody and transported to the Washington Parish Jail.

Fortunately for deputies, there were no weapons and the dog was friendly, according to a Sheriff’s Office report.

Willette, 43, was charged with second-degree battery and resisting arrest. Bond was set at $10,000 with the stipulation that Willette have no contact with his wife. Additionally, he was served with a protective order prohibiting him from having contact with his wife.

If convicted of the battery charge Willette could face a sentence of up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $1,000. The penalty for resisting arrest is a sentence of up to six months in jail, or a fine of up to $500, or both.

“He beat his wife severely, and there is no excuse for that,” stated Sheriff Randy Seal. “This could have been a dangerous situation for the responding officers, and I am so pleased that the incident ended peacefully. Willette is right where he belongs, in jail.”