Libby man gets prison time for strangling woman

A Libby man is headed to prison for strangling the mother of his child during an incident earlier this year.

Silas C. Behee, 37, was found guilty following a trial in September of felony strangulation of a partner or family member as well as two misdemeanors for partner or family member assault and the destruction of a communication device to prevent reporting a criminal offense.

At his sentencing Dec. 16, District Judge Matt Cuffe sentenced Behee to five years, with three years suspended, to a state Department of Corrections facility for the felony strangulation charge. On the PFMA conviction, Behee received a one-year term, with all but 30 days suspended, in the county jail. For the destruction of the victim’s phone, he received a six-month term, with all but 30 days suspended, in the county jail. The sentences will be served concurrently.

“This shows every element of destructive nature of domestic violence,” Cuffe said. “Including the guilt the victim feels for something that wasn’t her fault.”

According to the charging document, Libby police officer Caleb Thomas was called to a residence in Reese Court at about 9:19 p.m. on Feb. 23 for a disturbance involving two people.

While Behee and the woman talked, he allegedly became angry at her and threw a box of French fries at her. He also reportedly kicked the couch she was sitting on and hit her with an open hand. When the woman said she’d call 911 to report what happened, Behee allegedly took her cell phone and threw it out the front door of the house into the yard.

She also said that he grabbed her, pulled her to the ground and wrapped his arm around her neck and applied pressure.

Behee is currently being detained in the Lincoln County Detention Center. 

County Deputy Attorney Jeff Zwang argued for a 5-year term in the Montana State Prison.

“He beat and strangled his partner until a neighbor intervened,” Zwang said. “The neighbor stopped it, it was not by the defendant’s choice. This was not because of an addiction. He has relatively little criminal history, but this was a particularly dangerous offense. It suggests he doesn’t take accountability for his offenses and raises the likelihood of a homicide occurring.”

Zwang said Behee had a burglary charge in Oregon that was reduced to a theft and some traffic offenses. Lincoln County court documents indicate Behee was a fugitive from justice in 2009 following his indictment in Clackamas County, Oregon, on felony burglary and criminal mischief charges.

Another court filing from 2021 indicated another woman sought a temporary order of protection against Behee following an incident at a child’s birthday party in Hot Springs, Sanders County. The woman accused of him of being on LSD, alcohol and other non-prescription drugs while breaking into her vehicle and going through her purse which held her and her child’s prescription medications.

The order was dropped a few weeks later when neither party showed up for the hearing.

Behee also testified at the Dec. 16 hearing.

“A long time has passed since the incident and I’ve had time to reflect and see the pain it caused my family,” Behee said. “My heart is heavy and I’ve done my due diligence in terms of time on release.

“I’ve paid my bills and made sure my ex-girlfriend and son have a roof over their heads. I’m asking for the mercy of the court and I want the opportunity to fix it.”

Scott F. Thompson spoke on Behee’s behalf. He said he knew the accused for two years and was a tenant of his who did work at the trailer court he owns.

“He’s very reliable, he can think outside the box and he prefers light work so he can spend time with his children,” Thompson said. “He’s been a guest in my home and I’ve been to his home. I never saw him beat or strangle his girlfriend.”

Thompson also said he hadn’t seen as much of Behee since his arrest.

Scott B. Johnson, Behee’s public defender, argued for time either in the county jail or in a state Department of Corrections facility.