Poplar Bluff bar manager charged with assaulting patron

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- A warrant has been issued charging the manager of Cleopatra's Night Club with assaulting a patron there last

week.

Jonathon B. Dawe, 35, was charged Friday with second-degree assault by Butler County assistant prosecuting attorney Paul Oesterreicher.

Associate Circuit Judge John Bloodworth issued the warrant for Dawe's arrest.

Dawe, who had not been arrested Wednesday morning, will have his bond set at $25,000.

The complaint on file with the court alleges that June 28, Dawe "recklessly caused serious physical injury to Benjamin Knuckles by striking him repeatedly with his

fist."

At about 2:35 a.m. June 28, deputies responded to a 911 call about a fight in progress at

Cleopatra's.

Dawe caused Knuckles "severe injury that required emergency medical attention and hospitalization," according to investigator Tim Davis' probable-cause statement.

Knuckles, Davis said, suffered from various injuries, including several lacerations and possible bone fractures to his face and a broken nose.

Authorities report Knuckles, who had been celebrating his 21st birthday earlier in the night, was taken by ambulance to Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center for emergency treatment.

"(Knuckles) was placed on a ventilator and was in critical condition for a long length of time due to the injury that he sustained after being assaulted," Davis said. Knuckles was released from the hospital last week.

The alleged assault, Davis said, took place outside of Cleopatra's in the parking lot.

The altercation, Butler County Sheriff Mark Dobbs said earlier, began after Knuckles allegedly kicked the door after the business had closed.

Dobbs said Dawe reported he shoved Knuckles in an attempt to make him leave the business.

"Then, Knuckles shoved Dawe against an exterior wall," Dobbs said. "Dawe said he forced Knuckles to the ground and hit him in the face five or six times with his fist."

Pertinent address:

800 Route T, Poplar Bluff, MO