Libby man accused of beating, choking woman

A Libby man with a criminal past is facing more felony charges after allegedly assaulting his wife during an incident earlier this summer.

Gregory Thomas Moss, 29, appeared in Lincoln County District Court July 29 and pleaded not guilty to felony aggravated assault and two counts of felony strangulation of a partner or family member. He also pleaded not guilty two misdemeanor counts of partner family member assault.

Moss is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 9 for a hearing on the current charges as well as an adjudication on a petition to revoke his release in the 2019 case.

According to the charging document, Libby City police officer Don Luthey was called to a East 6th Street residence at a little after 4 a.m. on June 23. There, he spoke to the alleged victim who said she and another person at the home were assaulted. His wife said she suffered a broken clavicle, had hair pulled from her head along with numerous bruises, lacerations and contusions.

The woman said Moss grabbed her by the throat twice before slamming her head into a car door window. She said Moss also pulled her from the vehicle where she fell on a gravel road surface and suffered injuries. 

The other person at the home tried to intervene and was allegedly struck several times in the face and body as well as being placed in a choke hold. The person began to lose consciousness and was bitten on a bicep.

According to Luthey’s report, Moss later tried to assault a neighbor who attempted to intervene, but the neighbor subdued Moss. The accused ended up with a broken right clavicle, rib fracture and maxillary wall fracture.

Moss did not speak to officers and was later cleared at the hospital before being taken to the county jail. He later posted bail.

Moss was sentenced to 10 years, with five suspended, in 2019 following a conviction for felony burglary. Cuffe said then that he believed Moss had substance abuse issues and the sentence allowed for treatment and for long-term supervision to make sure treatment is successful.

He also faced felony burglary and theft charges in 2016.

Moss faces a maximum prison term of 20 years if convicted of aggravated assault.