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100 Black Men leader facing charges

FAYETTE COUNTY, Ga. — The president-elect of the 100 Black Men of the South Metro is facing charges of domestic violence after allegedly beating his pregnant wife and choking his 6-year-old stepdaughter.

Stanley Savage also holds a high-ranking executive position with Park Atlanta and spent 28 years with Atlanta police before that.

According to records obtained by Channel 2's Tom Jones, he spent time behind bars days before Christmas for domestic violence.

"He's accused of committing the act of domestic violence on the lady that called 911," Josh Shelton of the Fayette County Sheriff's Office said.

Deputies said the call came from Savage's wife, who is pregnant. According to authorities, she called to say Savage, who is the Park Atlanta director of enforcement, had thrown her into a wall multiple times for questioning him about choking her 6-year-old daughter.

Savage's wife said the former 28-year major with APD said somebody was going to die after she told him she called police.

Deputies arrived, and said they took a loaded gun from Savage and arrested him on two counts of battery and six counts of child cruelty.

"The six counts of cruelty to children stem from committing the act in front of six different children," Shelton said.

Savage's wife said he was depressed and suicidal.

According to a police report, Savage said he only spanked the child and never touched his wife, though deputies said she had bruises on her arms.

"I certainly want everyone to know that he is innocent of these charges," said Jackie Patterson, Savage's attorney.

Savage's attorney said the allegations are out of character.

Patterson told Jones that Savage has had an impeccable career and is well respected in the community.

He asked the public to withhold judgment.

"Cause we're talking about a domestic situation. And there's always more than one side when you're dealing with a domestic situation," Patterson said.

Savage is currently out of jail on a $40,000 bond.

Savage's boss at Park Atlanta told Jones he just learned of the allegations and his office will conduct an investigation.