Estes arrested for domestic violence

WINFIELD, Alabama (AP) — An Alabama lawmaker was arrested on domestic violence charges after his wife accused him of threatening to hit her.

Deputy Tracy Estes, 57, of Winfield, was jailed Friday night on a third-degree domestic violence charge, news outlets reported. Marion County online jail records did not indicate he was still in custody Saturday afternoon.

The deputy's wife, Christina Estes, said in a legal document that her husband began verbally abusing her during an argument at their home Friday night. After she locked herself in a bedroom, he banged on the door for two hours and threatened to hit her, she said.

“This type of behavior has occurred several times since their marriage,” court documents state.

Christina Estes obtained a restraining order prohibiting her husband from coming within 100 yards of her and her home. Tracy Estes was also ordered to surrender any firearms he owns.

A phone number listed for Tracy Estes did not work Saturday and he did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. It was not immediately known whether he had an attorney.

Estes was elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 2018. His seat in the 17th District includes Lamar, Marion and Winston counties in northwest Alabama.

House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said he was aware of the arrest.

“I am aware of the situation surrounding Representative Estes and have full confidence that our justice system will determine an appropriate course of action,” Ledbetter said in a statement. “The people of Alabama deserve the very best from their elected officials, and I expect representatives to be above reproach in both their professional and personal lives.”