Collinsville Police Chief Stephen Malone arrested in Nashville, charged with aggravated assault involving alleged strangulation

Arrest follows reported domestic dispute in South Nashville

A man identified by Nashville-area jail records as Stephen Malone, 32, was arrested in Nashville on Sunday, February 1, 2026, and booked on a charge listed as aggravated assault involving strangulation. The arrest drew additional attention because the suspect has been described in regional reporting as the police chief of Collinsville.

The alleged incident occurred at a residence on 12th Avenue South in Nashville. Investigators documented injuries on the reported victim that included marks consistent with scratches on the neck and bruising to the knees and cheek. Officers also noted a small scratch on the suspect’s nose.

What investigators say was reported

Police accounts in the case describe the suspect and the reported victim as being in a dating relationship. The victim told investigators the two argued and that the dispute escalated into physical violence, including strikes to the face and an allegation that the victim was grabbed by the throat and slammed down multiple times.

Investigators recorded that the victim said she scratched the suspect in self-defense. In their assessment, the victim’s account aligned with observed injuries and the scene investigation, leading them to identify the suspect as the primary aggressor for booking purposes.

Suspect’s statements and cooperation described in reports

Investigators documented that the suspect was initially uncooperative in providing a full account of what happened. Police reports describe the suspect as repeatedly stating that the victim was intoxicated, needed help, and that he did not want her to “get in trouble.”

After agreeing to speak, the suspect told investigators that the victim attacked him and broke his necklace. Investigators noted that the suspect did not provide an explanation for how the victim sustained the injuries officers observed.

The case remains an allegation at the arrest stage; a criminal charge is not evidence of guilt.

What is confirmed about the Collinsville leadership question

Public information currently available from the City of Collinsville’s police department identifies Brett Boerm as the police chief. That leaves unanswered questions about whether Malone is a current chief, a former chief, an interim appointee, or holds another role connected to the department. No public announcement describing a change in Collinsville police leadership was immediately available in the materials reviewed.

What happens next

The next steps typically include an initial court appearance, a bond determination or review if applicable, and a prosecutorial screening of the allegations. The case may also trigger administrative actions by the suspect’s employing agency if he is a sworn law enforcement officer.

• Arrest/booking date reflected in Nashville-area jail records: February 1, 2026
• Charge listed at booking: aggravated assault involving strangulation
• Location described in reports: 12th Avenue South area, Nashville