Neosho man charged with DWI, domestic assault after allegedly setting wife's hair on fire

The Newton County Prosecuting Attorney's office filed driving while intoxicated and domestic assault charges against a Neosho man this morning.

According to the probable cause statement, Allen B. Canuti (DOB 1959) "were involved in an altercation that became physical Saturday. Canuti lit (his wife's) hair on fire with a lighter. (Her) hair was singed and she complained of pain to her scalp saying it was burnt."

Canuti was located in the driver's seat of his running car, according to the statement with "a strong odor of intoxicants" coming from Canuti's breath and a 3/4 full vodka bottle on the passenger's floorboard.

The probable cause statement says Canuti has had several encounters with law enforcement and was "almost always intoxicated."

Canuti has been arrested and convicted of domestic assault previously and arrested numerous times for assault, the statement said.