Savage's return expected by Nov. 1

Dan James (D.J.) Savage’s fight to avoid extradition to Montana may soon end.

Lincoln County Attorney Bernard Cassidy on Tuesday said he still expects Savage to return here to face charges in the Aug. 29 assault of Sandra Laffoon, 36.

After the alleged assault, Savage fled Montana and was arrested at a Portland, Ore., laundry by Portland police. At the time, Savage was with Laffoon, who joined him days after his interstate flight.

During his arraignment Sept. 18 in Portland, Savage made it known he would fight extradition to Montana to face the charges. Subsequently, Cassidy and his office filed governor’s warrant paperwork in an effort to have Savage returned to face charges. Multnomah County officials has responded to the Montana governor’s warrant.

“We do expect to have him back here by Nov. 1,” Cassidy said of the warrant expiration date. “You know, for a guy who contends he spent too much time in jail (on previous charges), he sure is prolonging this.”

Savage is charged with partner or family assault of Laffoon and tampering with a communications device.

Police used Savage’s cell phone to locate him at the Portland laundry where he was arrested without incident.

After Savage’s arrest, Laffoon alleged a bizarre story that she and Savage concocted a plot to ensnare local law enforcement in falsely arresting Savage. Two weeks ago, Laffoon admitted to having different feelings about Savage and said she has not contacted him since about the time of his arraignment.

Savage’s run-in with the law was not his first. On Jan. 10, he was acquitted in 19th Judicial District Court of three counts, the first being assault of a partner or family member; the second of tampering with a witness; and a third count of stalking.

About 18 months ago, Savage was beaten severely and left bleeding in the snow outside the Troy VFW. Savage’s brain swelled as a result of that beating, and he spent time recovering in a Kalispell hospital. Coincidentally, both he and Laffoon have worked at the VFW where Savage served as a deejay and provided karaoke.

Also, Savage was charged with felony partner or family assault on July 11, 2010. The charge was dismissed without prejudice on Sept. 10, 2010, by the Justice Court of Lincoln County.

In December 2008, Savage pleaded no contest to partner or family member assault.