Krum

BUCKHANNON — An Upshur County man faces a felony battery charge after allegedly striking a woman over a dispute involving car keys.

Reuben Benjamin Krum, 48, is charged with one count third-offense domestic battery, a felony. He is currently being held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail on a $15,000 cash-only bond.

The criminal complaint, filed by Deputy R.T. Lamb with the Upshur County Sheriff’s Office, states that on Dec. 19, the Upshur County Communication Center received a call from a witness reporting an “active physical altercation” between family members at a residence on Mount Lebanon Road.

The witness reported that Krum had allegedly struck both her and the alleged victim, the complaint states. When Lamb arrived on the scene, he made contact with Krum, who allegedly was “visibly intoxicated.” Lamb writes that Krum exhibited “exaggerated reflexes” and had an agitated demeanor toward the victim and the witness.

Krum was reportedly upset that the alleged victim and the witness refused to give him the keys to his vehicle, the complaint states. Krum allegedly said he had “taken care of business,” but denied that he had struck either the alleged victim or the witness and that neither of them had struck him.

Lamb then made contact with the victim and the witness, the complaint states. Both advised that Krum was allegedly “extremely intoxicated” and had become “increasingly angry” after they refused to give him the keys. They both further advised Lamb that Krum had allegedly attempted to kick in the back door of the residence. Subsequently, in the living room, Krum allegedly struck the victim with an “open-handed slap to the right side of her head.”

While on the scene, Lamb allegedly observed what appeared to be a “fresh, muddy boot print,” the complaint states. Lamb writes that the print appeared to have been a result of Krum “kicking the door with his boot after walking outside near the car he attempted to operate.”

According to the complaint, further investigation revealed that Krum had two prior convictions for domestic battery in Upshur County in 2010 and 2014.

Krum also allegedly advised Lamb that he had a felony conviction for third offense domestic battery. Lamb was able to confirm that Krum had been charged with third offense domestic battery in Upshur County in 2020.