Canute Man Charged With Domestic Abuse, Assault With Dangerous Weapon

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  • Edward Wayne Wilhite Photo courtesy of WCSD
    Edward Wayne Wilhite Photo courtesy of WCSD
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A 26-year-old Canute man is facing up to 11 years in prison after being arrested on a misdemeanor charge of domestic abuse - assault and battery and a felony charge of assault, battery, or assault and battery with a deadly weapon. Edward Wayne Wilhite was taken into custody at his parents home in Canute by the Oklahoma Highway Patrol tactical team.

According to a press release from Washita County Sheriff Roger Reeve, a disturbance was reported at approximately 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 6, 2019, at a residence south of Canute.

“It was reported that a male subject that lived at the residence had made threats of harm to himself and others,” the statement read. “Since the subject was inside a residence with two other members of the family and weapons were inside the residence, the decision was made to call the Oklahoma Highway Patrol’s tactical team to handle the situation. Entry was made at the residence on a search warrant and arrest warrant about 22:30 hours. One subject was taken into custody and turned over to the Washita County Sheriff’s Office.”

The arrest warrant was based upon a report filed earlier that day by Washita County Sheriff’s deputy Kelby Peoples, who had interviewed the suspect’s stepfather in response to a report of domestic assault incidents which had taken place July 4, 2019. According to People’s affidavit of probable cause, Wilhite had become upset and was “pacing through the house, slamming doors in and out of the house, hollering that someone was going to die.” Peoples further reported that Wilhite was armed and had fired a bullet into a wall above the victim’s head during the incident. Wilhite also reportedly struck the victim’s wife, Wilhite’s mother, and threw her down.

The report also described a second incident, occurring on the same day, in which the victims were driving home from Elk City with Wilhite in the back seat. “Mr. Wilhite became upset and reached over the head rest where [female victim] was seated and began to choke ] female victim.]”

The male victim told Wilhite he was going to his parents’ house to check on them in order to leave the residence and contact law enforcement.

The victim said he did not report the incident at that time because Wilhite had repeatedly threatened to kill them.

If convicted, Wilhite could be sentenced to up to 10 years in prison on the felony assault with a weapon charge and up to one year for the domestic abuse misdemeanor.