Jackson County legislator Manuel “Manny” Abarca IV pleaded not guilty to domestic battery charges in Johnson County District Court Thursday afternoon, one day after he was arrested and charged.

A physical altercation allegedly took place between Abarca and his wife Alexis Garcia around 1:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 29, according to a Shawnee police report obtained by The Star.

“Manuel Ray Abarca IV did then and there unlawfully and knowingly cause physical contact with (Garcia) in a rude, insulting, or angry manner,” charging documents filed in Johnson County court read.

The altercation took place in front of Abarca’s father, according to court records. Shawnee crime mapping records show that police had been called to Abarca’s father’s house that afternoon in response to a “domestic

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