photo by: Journal-World File Photo

In this file photo from Aug. 4, 2020, a Lawrence Police Department patrol vehicle is pictured outside the Douglas County Judicial and Law Enforcement Center.

A Lawrence man was charged with aggravated battery in Douglas County District Court on Wednesday.

Darren O. Cox, 36, made his first appearance in court Wednesday afternoon from the Douglas County Jail after he was arrested Tuesday evening.

Judge James T. George said the charge was a level-four felony and a conviction could result in a prison sentence of up to 172 months, a little more than 14 years. George appointed Cooper Overstreet to serve as Cox’s attorney.

A prosecutor asked the court to order Cox to not have contact with the alleged victim in the incident, noting that person is also the alleged victim in other pending cases Cox is facing in Douglas County. The prosecutor did not elaborate on what those cases entailed, but court records showed two pending misdemeanor cases under Cox’s name.

George granted the request and set a $50,000 cash or surety bond. Cox’s next court appearance is scheduled for March 23.

Cox was arrested around 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the jail booking log. Lt. David Ernst of the Lawrence Police Department said officers were dispatched to the 1400 block of East 15th Street for a call of an unknown emergency. Police arrested Cox at that location, according to the booking log.

Ernst said the arrest stemmed from a domestic incident and declined to provide any further details. An affidavit has been filed with the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office, he said.

The Journal-World has requested Cox’s booking photo, but has not yet received it from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.