WEST FRANKFORT - Newly appointed Chief of Police Jeff Tharp said the investigation continues into the Sunday morning beating of a West Frankfort man.

Jason Armstrong, 33, made a report at 5:30 a.m. that he had been beaten with a firearm. Armstrong was transported by ambulance to the Franklin Hospital in Benton where he was treated for his injuries.

"Armstrong reported that Jerry Dale Leach was at his house and an argument ensued," Tharp said. "Leach struck him with a firearm in his face."

Leach, 37, previously held an address in West Frankfort and also was thought to previously reside in the Chicago area. Officials are not certain of his present address.

Tharp said Armstrong told police that it was a "long" type of firearm that Leach used in the beating.

"We are in the process of getting the medical records from the hospital," the chief said. "Our investigation is just about concluded. We have one more interview to conduct and we are getting the medical records."

Tharp said Leach will not be charged officially until the investigation is completed and the case has been presented to Franklin County State's Attorney Tom Dinn.

"Our attempts to locate him (Leach) have been unsuccessful," Tharp said.

The most recent incident is not the first run-in Leach has had with local law enforcement. In 2006 he was wanted by police in the beating of a Benton man.

Former Chief of Police Mike Dinn said at the time that Leach was believed to be armed and dangerous and noted that the "savage beating" left the victim in critical condition.

Tharp said Leach pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated battery stemming from that incident. Franklin County Circuit Court records show Leach was sentenced to 282 days and is currently on probation.

The records list for Franklin County offenses charged to Leach is 32 items long, including several felony charges, traffic offenses, and an order of protection. Also in 2006, Leach was charged with aggravated battery after an altercation in which he was accused of swinging a folding chair at a woman and causing severe head injury. A jury found him not guilty.

tara.fasol@thesouthern.com/351-5824@thesouthern.com/351-5824