Libby man accused of assaulting teen girlfriend

A Libby man is jailed after being accused of assaulting his girlfriend during a domestic disturbance last month.

Tyler Evan Eroh, 32, who remains in the Lincoln County Detention Center, is charged with felony strangulation of a partner or family member, partner or family member assault, a misdemeanor, and criminal possession of dangerous drugs.

He pleaded not guilty to the offenses on Jan. 29 and District Judge Matt Cuffe set his next court hearing for Feb. 26.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Libby police officer Caleb Thomas spoke to the alleged victim, a 19-year-old woman, at about 11:30 p.m. on Jan. 6 at a residence on Cabinet Heights Road.

She said Eroh grabbed her hair and pushed her face into a pillow on the bed she was sitting on. She said he held her down for a couple seconds, blocking the airflow into her nose and mouth.

While arresting Eroh, Thomas searched him and found a small glass jar with white powdery residue that field tested positive for methamphetamine.

Convictions on the felony charges may result in five years in the Montana State Prison while a conviction on the misdemeanor charge may result in a 1-year term in the county jail.