On 1/3/10, at approximately 12:00 AM, patrol officers with the Benton Police Department responded to 1620 Huntley St. #23 on report of a domestic disturbance.  Upon arrival they made contact with two female victims, Alicia Cruz and Jerri Ballard, who stated that Kenneth Ballard (DOB: 1-15-68) had assaulted them. 

    Ms. Ballard told officers there had been an argument between her and Mr. Ballard, and that he broke her cell phone when she tried to call police.  Ms. Ballard said Mr. Ballard hit her arms attempting to get the phone from her.  

    Ms. Cruz said Mr. Ballard then came after her when she was attempting to call police on her phone and broke down a bedroom door in an attempt to get to her.  After realizing the police department had been called, Mr. Ballard barricaded himself in the master bedroom of the apartment prior to officer’s arrival.  When officers made contact with Ms. Ballard she advised them he had two pistols inside the bedroom with him. 

    Officers tried unsuccessfully to talk Mr. Ballard out of the bedroom and he repeatedly told them to leave his house and that he wasn’t going to warn them again.  The Benton Police Department SWAT team and Crisis Negotiation team were then called to the scene in an attempt to peacefully end the situation. 

    Officers with the Crisis Negotiation team attempted to talk with Mr. Ballard for over two hours without success.  Officers with the SWAT team were able to deploy a less-lethal Taser to subdue Mr. Ballard and take him into custody without harm to him or officers. 

    Mr. Ballard was transported to the Saline County Detention Facility and was charged with two counts of Domestic Battery and Domestic Assault, Hampering Emergency Communications, and Obstructing Governmental Operations.