Eureka man facing more than 20 years in prison

Eric Ryan Ferguson, a 24-year-old Eureka man, is facing 20 years and six months in prison on charges of felony assault with a weapon and misdemeanor partner family member assault.

Ferguson was arrested in the early hours of Dec. 6, 2015, following a reported disturbance, by Deputy Daniel Holskey of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. According to the affidavit of probable cause written by Holskey, a verbal altercation between Ferguson and his girlfriend escalated into violence, with Ferguson brandishing and discharging a firearm as well as threatening to kill the woman and his brother, who was also present.

“On the morning of Dec. 6, 2015, at approximately 2:49 a.m., Ferguson was having a verbal altercation with his girlfriend [female victim] and his brother [male victim],” Holskey wrote. “[Victims] attempted to leave the residence along with [witness]. Eric grabbed [female victim] by the arm, twisting it and throwing her to the ground. [Female victim] got up and walked away with [male victim] and [witness] while Eric went into the house. Eric returned outside holding a bolt action rifle. [Witness] returned to the house to attempt to calm Eric down. At that time Eric fired the rifle into the ground.”

The victims reported Ferguson then pointed the weapon at each of them and threatened to kill them, according to Holskey’s narrative. The witnesses also reportedly said Ferguson had been drinking heavily at the time.

If convicted, Ferguson could be sentenced to up to 20 years in the Montana State Prison on the assault with a weapon charge and up to six months for the partner family member assault. He pleaded not guilty Jan. 11 in Montana’s 19th Judicial District Court and was released on his own recognizance after agreeing to release conditions which included no possession of weapons and participation in the 24/7 sobriety program.