Newport Man Charged for Third No-Contact Order Violation, A Felony

NEWPORT, RI—Newport police charged a 29-year-old city man with felony violating a no-contact order after an officer saw him walking side-by-side with a woman he is ordered by the courts to stay away from.

It's the third time he's been charged for violating a restraining order.

Police said Darryl Anthony Smith, of 15 Meeting St., and the woman split up and went in different directions when they realized an officer had seen them walking together near Equality Park at around 1:30 a.m.

According to a police report, Smith was on his phone when police caught up with him a short distance away. He denied walking with the woman but police noted he was dripping sweat. They also determined the identity of the woman and confirmed there is a no-contact order between them.

Police later determined that Smith was on the phone with the victim when police detained him. Later, at police headquarters, he was allowed to use his phone ot make a confidential phone.

When asked to return his phone, Smith reportedly said “Oh, this phone?” and “quickly smashed the phone on the floor, causing heavy damage to it,” according to the report.

Smith was held for arraignment Friday.