Savage fights extradition

Dan James Savage, Jr., the 36-year-old Troy man who was arrested Sept. 9 at a Portland, Ore., laundry for the Aug. 29 assault of a Troy woman, is fighting extradition to Lincoln County.

After Savage’s original arraignment, he announced in a Portland courtroom on  Sept. 18 that he planned to fight extradition.

“There is a governor’s warrant that will expire on Nov. 1,” said Multnomah County Chief Deputy District Attorney Don Rees. “(Lincoln) County has until then to get him to return.”

A warrant was issued by Montana Gov. Steve Bullock’s office to extradite Savage to be returned to Lincoln County to face criminal charges.   

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

Police used Savage’s cell phone to locate the fugative in 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. Since, Laffoon has gone underground, said her mother, Sandy Stapley.

“She’s really not out there that much,” Stapley said Thursday morning. “There is so much going on right now. There is so much going on right now. She just needs time to clear her head.”

While Stapley admits her daughter has not said what her and Savage’s future plans are for a relationship, she hopes she will not continue with him.

“She’s had some tough relationships,” Stapley said. “I’m not going to speak for her because I understand it’s hard to get away, but I’d like to see her move on. She just needs to catch a break.”

Troy Police Chief Bob McLeod, whose office is handling the case, said the investigation is continuing.

“(Officer Faulkner) Lori and I have been working on this almost non-stop since  it started,” McLeod said.

McLeod said he has had no communication with Laffoon.

“We are treating this like she’s the victim,” he said.

Savage’s run-in with the law is 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-member 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.