Waco, TX – A Waco man is facing a series of felony charges after allegedly assaulting his wife, pointing a gun at her, and later wrecking her car while intoxicated, according to arrest affidavits.
Kenneth Ray Ervin Jr., 45, was taken into custody following incidents on November 28, which unfolded at a residence on Melrose Drive in West Waco and on the access road of West Loop 340. Police responded to the scene after receiving reports of a domestic disturbance involving a firearm.
Upon arriving at the home, officers found Ervin’s wife with visible injuries, including a head laceration, swelling below her eye, and red marks around her neck. Initially, the woman denied that any assault had occurred, but her 24-year-old son encouraged her to speak the truth. The son, who had overheard an argument, told police he had seen his mother bloodied and in distress.
The son further reported that during the altercation, Ervin had punched a hole in the wall and demanded his wife hand over a firearm. Despite being a felon prohibited from possessing firearms, Ervin allegedly retrieved the weapon after his wife threw it onto a bed and pointed it at her. The woman’s son then called the authorities as Ervin took the car keys and fled the scene, reportedly driving under the influence.
A subsequent traffic stop located Ervin after he crashed a compact SUV into a guardrail on West Loop 340 near Bagby Avenue. Officers noticed signs of intoxication, including unsteady footing and a faint smell of alcohol. Ervin struggled to maintain his balance, even falling while attempting to stand.
As officers investigated the crash, they were notified that Ervin was the suspect in a domestic disturbance and was possibly armed. He was detained and transported to a local hospital for medical clearance, where officers obtained a warrant for a blood draw due to his apparent intoxication and inconsistent responses. A firearm, matching the description of the weapon used in the alleged assault, was recovered from the vehicle.
In the aftermath of the incident, Ervin’s wife told police at the hospital that he had struck her on the head with a mop during the initial altercation.
Ervin was charged with multiple offenses, including:
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon (second-degree felony)
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon (third-degree felony)
- Assault causing bodily injury to a family member (Class A misdemeanor)
- Driving while intoxicated (Class B misdemeanor)
- Collision involving damage to a vehicle equal to or greater than $200 (Class B misdemeanor)
Additionally, Ervin is being held on an alleged parole violation. He remains in McLennan County Jail, with bail set at $18,500. Court records show that Ervin has a criminal history spanning over a decade.