Davis pleads not guilty on assault charge

A Eureka man appeared in Montana’s 19th Judicial District Court Monday and entered not guilty pleas on two charges of assault with a weapon and one count of partner-family member assault.

Justin Keith Davis, 35, was arrested by Deputy Robert Salyer of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Aug. 30. 

In his narrative attached to the affidavit of probable cause, Salyer said the victim woke up in the middle of the night and was opening up his tent when he noticed a truck bearing down on the tent.

“[Victim] said he had just woken up and was on his way to opening up the tent to relieve himself when he heard a truck rev up and headlights shine into the tent,” Salyer wrote in the report. “[Victim] stated he just got the zipper undone on the tent and looked out to see Justin drive directly up to their tent and on top of half of the tent with [victim], his wife and baby inside.”

The victim reported to Salyer Davis was “heavily intoxicated and drove off,” after the incident.

Deputy Salyer reported the tire tracks at the scene matched those of Davis’ truck and the truck’s motor was still warm when Salyer arrived at Davis’ residence.

The assault with a weapon charges are felonies, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000. The partner-family member assault is a misdemeanor punishable by up to $1,000 in fines and one year in jail.