Background: Boxwood Lane in Spartanburg, S.C. (Google Maps). Inset: Michael Disantos (Spartanburg County Sheriff’s Office).
A South Carolina man has been charged with domestic violence following allegations of assault against his wife, who was attempting to prevent him from driving under the influence.
Michael Disantos, 68, was taken into custody on Sunday after officers from the Spartanburg Police Department responded to a call at his residence on Boxwood Lane. Upon arrival, authorities discovered Disantos’ wife at a neighbor’s house. As reported by WHNS, a local Fox affiliate, the altercation began when Disantos’ wife, whose name has not been disclosed, smoked his last cigarette, sparking a dispute on Sunday afternoon.
According to the police report, Disantos, allegedly intoxicated, became threatening. When his wife intervened to stop him from driving to purchase more cigarettes, she confiscated his car keys. In response, Disantos is accused of striking her in the face, resulting in a nosebleed.
The wife reportedly sought refuge at a neighboring home, where she explained to the officers that she intended to buy cigarettes herself to prevent Disantos from driving. She shared further details of the confrontation, claiming that Disantos attempted to hit her multiple times but failed. She expressed concerns over his intoxicated condition and previous strokes, adding that Disantos was upset with her efforts to encourage him to seek rehabilitation.
When police questioned Disantos at their home, they detected the odor of alcohol on him. Initially, he denied any threats or physical violence against his wife but later reportedly confessed to the assault. Officers noted blood on Disantos’ knuckles and a trail of blood leading to the kitchen.
In his statement, Disantos claimed that his wife took his keys to prevent him from buying cigarettes. However, police informed him that her intention was to stop him from driving while impaired.
Disantos’ wife told police that she did not want to press charges against her husband. He was arrested and booked into the Spartanburg County Detention Center after being charged with domestic violence. His bond was set at $1,500 and he was ordered not to have contact with his wife. His next court date is scheduled for Feb. 26, 2026.
