A man pleaded guilty to attempted abuse of an elderly person after reportedly assaulting a 78-year-old woman. 

Richard William Vaughn Sr., 69, appeared in General Sessions Court and was charged with domestic assault, abuse of an elderly adult and violation of conditional release. According to the warrant, on Jan. 27 Vaughn and the victim were home when they began arguing about who was calling Vaughn. 

Vaughn reportedly got angry and aggressive. He began swearing at the 78-year-old victim and grabbed her by both arms tearing the skin and leaving both of them bleeding. While he had her arms in his hands, he reportedly shoved her causing her to hit her head on the back of the couch. According to the warrant, this is not the first time Vaughn has been physical with the victim, leaving marks on her. Following this incident, he was charged with elder abuse and domestic assault. 

In General Sessions Court, he pleaded guilty to domestic assault and was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days to serve 75 days in jail, the balance on supervised probation, pay court costs, have no contact with the victim and successfully complete an anger management class. He also pleaded guilty to the amended charge of attempted abuse of an elderly person and was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days on supervised probation. These sentences run consecutively.  

Vaughn was charged with criminal contempt of bail bond conditions on Feb. 20. According to the warrant, the victim received a call and a text from Vaughn’s sister advising her that Vaughn wanted to connect with her and get her to drop the charges. The victim also reportedly heard Vaughn’s voice in the background. Vaughn had bail bond conditions and an order of protection ex-parte with a hearing scheduled for Feb. 27 and violated both orders by allegedly having his sister call the victim. This charge was dismissed in General Sessions Court.