Two men facing assault charges

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

Two Donley County men are facing assault charges after weekend fight that is under investigation by the Texas Rangers.

Clay Sawyer, age 32, and Chris Blackburn, age 21, were both arrested in the early morning hours of Saturday, July 18, after officers were dispatched to the 600 block of S. Collinson Street following a report of a fight in progress at about 1:28 a.m.

One victim was reportedly hospitalized following the altercation, and neighbors witnessed two Donley County Deputies, one state trooper, and local EMS respond to the events.

Texas Ranger Scott Swick was called in Saturday to handle the case and file the charges since Blackburn is the son of Donley County Sheriff Butch Blackburn.

Justice of the Peace Pam Mason said she arraigned both subjects on Saturday night.

Sawyer was charged with two counts of Class A Misdemeanor Assault with bond set at $1,500 for each count. Blackburn was charged with one count of Class A Misdemeanor Assault with bond set at $1,500.

Sawyer and Blackburn were released on bond Sunday.

Ranger Swick said Monday that his investigation is on-going and offered no further comment on the case.