Former Columbia youth director charged with domestic assault

Former Columbia youth director, Lorenzo Lawson, has been charged with domestic assault.

According to the probable cause statement, a deputy observed a female victim who had blood on her upper and bottom inner part of her lips, a red mark on her forehead and her right-side cheek appeared to be swollen.

The victim told deputies that Lawson was standing outside of her doorway when her and her friend were walking outside.

The victim said Lawson punched her in her right cheek and continued to punch her until she fell down. When the victim got up, Lawson chased her around the yard and then left, deputies said.

The victim told deputies she had been advised her jaw was broken and she was going to have to meet with a surgeon to determine if she needed surgery to fix her jaw.

On Nov. 9, Lawson stepped down from his position at Youth Empowerment Zone after he was accused of domestic assault.