Bell Buckle police officer arrested in Nashville on domestic assault charge

Metro police arrested a police officer from Bedford County on Sunday night in connection with a domestic assault charge — marking his second arrest in less than a month, records show.

According to Davidson County jail and court records, former Bell Buckle Police Officer Ian Ray was booked into jail at 4:30 p.m. on charges including domestic assault, vandalism and interference with a 911 call.

The records show the 33-year-old posted bond early Monday morning.

In an email Thursday night, Bell Buckle Mayor Jenny Hunt wrote that Ray "is no longer an employee" of the town, but didn't say whether he resigned or was terminated.

According to an arrest affidavit, Ray and the reported victim are dating and live in west Nashville. At some point on Sunday, the affidavit states, the two got into an argument and his girlfriend became afraid.

"The victim had her phone in her hand and told the defendant that she would call 911 if he did not stop," the affidavit continues. "The defendant then grabbed the phone out of her hand and threw it against the wall, damaging it and stopping her from calling 911."

Bell Buckle Police could not immediately be reached for comment.

Sunday marked the second time Ray had been arrested in less than a month.

Davidson County records show Ray was arrested May 22 on suspicion of domestic assault, and the Town of Bell Buckle placed him on leave but the case was dismissed last week.

According to an arrest affidavit, multiple witnesses saw Ray in his police uniform putting his hands on his girlfriend during the incident in a car outside McGavock Elementary School.

According to the affidavit, witnesses saw Ray grab his girlfriend by the hair and clothes, pulling her off her feet and into the car.

A woman who answered the phone for the Town of Bell Buckle refused to provide information about the officer, including whether he'd been placed on leave again.

Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.