Libby man charged with third domestic assault

A Libby man is facing felony charges after being arrested Sunday afternoon in connection with an alleged domestic abuse incident witnessed and reported by several neighbors.

Robert Earl Spady, 38, is charged with partner or family member assault, third offense, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. According to a report filed by arresting officer Brad Dodson of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Spady was previously convicted on misdemeanor partner/family member assault charges in 2014 and in 2009.

According to Dodson’s affidavit, multiple 911 calls were received around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 7, multiple 911 calls reported a disturbance between Spady and Carla Pruitt inside a van at 212 Avenue B in Libby. Callers reported seeing Spady pull Pruitt out of the van by her feet, with one witness telling Dodson he saw Spady making motions with his hands while Pruitt was inside the van and thought Spady might have been hitting Pruitt. The witness also told Dodson he saw Spady dragging Pruitt on the ground after pulling her from the van by her ankles.

Dodson reported that Spady told him he and Pruitt were having an argument and that she had punched him several times but that he did not want her to go to jail.

Pruitt told Dodson that she and Spady were fighting and she was trying to leave, but the van wouldn’t start. She said she was yelling at Spady to leave her alone, and Spady grabbed her by the throat to try to keep her quiet and then pulled her from the van. She said she kicked him to get away and then went to a neighbor’s house for help.

Dodson reported that Pruitt had a small abrasion on her neck and another on her arm that she said she received when Spady pulled her from the van. Pruitt told Dodson that Spady did not hit her, but that she had punched and kicked him to defend herself.

Spady made an initial appearance Monday in Justice Court before Justice of the Peace Jay Sheffield. Bond was set at $10,000.