Hinz faces assault charges

A local man stands accused of assaulting his wife and repeatedly threatening to kill her and anyone who helps her.

Charles Albert Hinz, 64, pleaded not guilty to assault with a weapon, a felony, and misdemeanor partner or family member assault, second offense, in Lincoln County District Court on Oct. 25.

In an affidavit, Deputy County Attorney Jeff Zwang wrote that local authorities turned up at an area medical center Sept. 15 to interview a woman who claimed her husband assaulted her. The victim told Deputy Luke Hauke of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office that Hinz struck her in the face the day prior and knocked her to the ground.

According to the affidavit, the victim suffered “obvious injuries” to her face, chest and arms. She had tried to leave in a truck, court documents said, but ended up hitting a tree.

The victim told Hauke that Hinz verbally abuses her and described him as unkind. He has threatened to kill her repeatedly, she said. In one instance, he stuck a screwdriver in her head, court documents said. In another, he forced a flare gun down her throat, the victim told authorities.

She also said that Hinz has threatened to kill any neighbors that try to help her, according to court documents.

Assault with a weapon is punishable by up to 20 years with the Montana State Prison and a $50,000 fine. The misdemeanor partner assault charge carries a maximum punishment of up to one year in county jail and a $1,000 fine. If convicted of the latter count, the defendant must serve a minimum 72 hours in the county lockup and pay a $300 fine.