Late night hotel fracas leads to assault charge

A Libby man is accused of assaulting his girlfriend during an incident last month at a local hotel.

Michael James Bennett is facing three misdemeanor charges, including partner or family member assault, resisting arrest, and criminal mischief. 

According to the probable cause statement of Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy Chris Pape, he responded to the Sandman Hotel in Libby at 1:39 a.m. June 17 and spoke to the alleged victim. She said Bennett destroyed motel property and threatened to “destroy her.” She believed he meant to cause her harm and she feared for her safety.

Pape said when he spoke to Bennett the man was very intoxicated and only said his girlfriend was “crazy.”

The deputy said when he told Bennett to turn around and place his hands behind his back, Bennett allegedly resisted before Pape and three other officers wrestled him to the ground and placed him in custody.

Pape also learned Bennett was facing a partner or family member assault, charged on May 15, with the same woman and was not supposed to have any contact with her.

Bennett was initially jailed on $15,000 bail but he has since been released.

His terms of release include not having contact with the alleged victim, submitting to alcohol and drug testing and refraining from drug and alcohol use. He is also not permitted to possess any weapons

The maximum sentence, if found guilty, Bennett faces is 12 months in the county jail if convicted on the assault charge.