Libby man accused of assaulting family member

A Libby man appeared in Lincoln County District Court on Tuesday after being accused of assaulting his cousin.

Jeremy David Scalf, 32, pleaded not guilty to one felony count of strangulation of a partner or family member. District Judge Matt Cuffe scheduled Scalf’s next court hearing for Nov. 27.

According to court documents, Libby Police Chief Cody Ercanbrack was called to an alleged assault at 9 a.m. Sept. 19 in the parking lot at Lee Gehring Field.

A man told Ercanbrack that his cousin, Scalf, was riding in the car with him and his wife. The man said he was arguing with his wife when Scalf got mad, reached forward and grabbed him by the throat, restricting his ability to breath. The man said Scalf then slammed his head against the window. At that point, the man’s wife pulled over and they separated, according to the charging document.

Ercanbrack reported that the woman agreed with her husband’s account of the incident. The chief saw a red mark on the left side of the alleged victim’s neck that was consistent with being grabbed by a left hand.

At about 10 a.m., Ercanbrack reported finding Scalf at a residence on Lewis Loop. When he asked the defendant what happened, the man allegedly said, “I (expletive) overreacted, (expletive) went from behind and tried to choke him.”

Ercanbrack arrested Scalf and took him to the county jail. Scalf was later freed after asking for a release on his own recognizance.

A conviction for the offense may result in a 5-year term in the Montana State Prison.