Friday 25th July 2025

An Odessa man has been charged with felonies for allegedly assaulting a woman and threatening her with a firearm during an incident on October 2.
According to a probable-cause statement, the woman alleged to authorities that while she was sitting down in the living room, 45-year-old Ira Joe Baldwin kicked her on the side of the head. She said her glasses got bent, so she held them under hot water trying to fix them; and while she was doing this, Baldwin punched her in the head and threw her out onto the porch, before letting her come back inside. The woman said once back inside, Baldwin took her .38-caliber handgun and put it to her head. She said he made her open her mouth, and he put the gun inside her mouth. The woman said Baldwin pushed her outside and began choking her by putting his forearms on her throat. The woman said she felt like he was going to kill her. The woman said Baldwin told her he would kill her if she reported this to the police. The woman eventually escaped and hid at a neighbor’s house. Authorities say they noticed she had redness on her neck and upper chest area. Later, Baldwin was arrested.
According to online court documents, Baldwin has been charged with a class B Felony for Domestic Assault in the First Degree; and a Class E Felony for Unlawful Use of a Weapon-Exhibiting. Baldwin posted $25,000 surety bond on October 7.
Baldwin’s initial Hearing is pending at Lafayette County circuit Court.