Butler County Sheriff's deputies arrested one man for apparently shooting a companion with a 12-gauge shotgun last Saturday.

According to Sheriff Kenny Harden, officers responded to the report of the a shooting on Bethel Rd., arresting one man, David Harold Stokes, 43, and charging him with assault, 1st degree as well as possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. Harden said cocaine was discovered at Stokes' residence.

The victim - a companion of Stokes - refused medical treatment, said Harden, despite being shot in the head and suffering numerous lacerations from the shotgun shell's pellets.

Additionally, sheriff's deputies made numerous drug-related arrests prior to the Fourth of July weekend.

n Joe Henry Roper, III, 24, was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana, 2nd degree, and possession of a controlled substance.

n James Alexander Bess, 24, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, 2nd degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

n Richard Allen Hall, 20, was arrested and charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, 2nd degree, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

All arrests were made during routine traffic stops, said Harden.