Alva Review-Courier -

A Waynoka man has been charged with a felony in an alleged assault on his girlfriend.

Court documents show on Saturday, June 20, about 8:51 p.m. Woods County dispatch received a call from Casey Melvin regarding a welfare check on her sister Stephanie Melvin. She told the dispatcher Stephanie was in Waynoka at the residence of Bryce Mason, who had held Stephanie against her will and had been physically abusive in the past. Casey further told the dispatcher her sister checks with her frequently and she had not heard from her in over 24 hours which was unusual.

Waynoka Police Officer Shawn Halper responded to the address, requesting the assistance of Oklahoma State Park Rangers Steve Rogers and Kyle Hair. At the residence, Mason answered the door. At Halper’s request to speak to Stephanie, he left and returned with her. Halper asked Stephanie to walk to the edge of the yard with him where he could speak to her. According to the affidavit, he noted distinct marks and bruising to her person, specifically around the neck area. Halper asked if Mason had been hitting her, and Stephanie said no.

Ranger Hair told Woods County Deputy Adam Honeyman that he could see the marks on Stephanie’s neck were very bad. Hair said Stephanie told Officer Halper she wanted to leave with him and wait for her sister to pick her up. She waited at the Waynoka Police Department for her sister to arrive from Woodward.

On Tuesday, June 23, Honeyman was provided a written statement from Casey Melvin and photographs of Stephanie Melvin from Halper. Officer Halper requested assistance in furthering the criminal prosecution of the case.

According to the affidavit, Casey Melvin wrote that Stephanie told her Mason had choked her and left marks on her neck. He told her he couldn’t let her go anywhere because people would see the marks on her neck. He drove her around in the country all day. Casey wrote that Stephanie told her at one point she had tried to jump from the window of the vehicle but Mason held onto her shirt and bra, ripping both.

On Tuesday, June 23, about 10 p.m. Honeyman received a call from Casey Melvin requesting a welfare check on Stephanie. She said she talked to Stephanie earlier, and Mason had located her in Enid. She said Stephanie was packing up her house in Enid and moving to Woodward.

The Enid Police went by the residence. The officer contacted Honeyman after checking on Stephanie and said she was okay. The officer said Mason had fled the residence, running from the back door.