Libby man charged with partner assault

A Libby man is facing a possible prison sentence in excess of 12 years and fines of up to $53,000 following his arrest Aug. 15.

Dennis R. Vaillancourt, 30, was charged with one felony count of criminal mischief, two misdemeanor counts of partner/family member assault, causing bodily injury, and one misdemeanor count of tampering with or destroying a communications device to prevent a criminal offense report. The felony count carries a possible sentence of up to 10 years in prison with up to $50,000 in fines. The two misdemeanor partner/family member assault charges are each punishable by up to one-year imprisonment and $1,000 in fines. The other misdemeanor charge carries up to six months in jail and $1,000 in fines.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Deputy John Hyslop made the arrest after being dispatched to the Vaillancourt residence on Reserve Street Saturday morning. In the affidavit of probable cause, Hyslop reported a confrontation began between Vaillancourt and his wife, Kristin Vaillancourt at approximately 8:30 a.m. He noted visible marks on the victim and significant property damage.

“Kristin Canniste Vaillancourt had blood on her lip and around her mouth, an open wound on her left wrist, a mark on her right temple and scratch marks on the back of her left shoulder,” Hyslop wrote. “The ambulance crew said there was a large bump on the back of her head. Kristin Canniste Vaillancourt also had recent bruising on the back of both upper arms that resembled finger marks and a bruise on her left ankle.

“Damage was done to four doors, two walls and several personal items,” he wrote. “One of the doors was broken into two pieces and parts of the frame were on the floor.”

Vaillancourt was arraigned in Justice Court and ordered held on $10,000 bond. He is next scheduled to appear Sept. 16.