Libby man accused of strangling woman

A Libby man is jailed after being accused of assaulting the mother of his child during an incident last month.

Silas C. Behee, 36, is charged with 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.

He is being detained in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $40,000 bail. He was arraigned on the charges on Monday, March 11, and pleaded not guilty. His next court hearing is set for April 15.

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.

Thomas’ investigation led him to learn that Behee and the alleged victim, a 21-year-old woman, were in a romantic relationship, had dated for two years and had a child together.

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

A conviction for strangulation could result in a 5-year prison sentence. For partner or family member assault, the maximum is one year in the county jail. For destroying the phone, a 6-month sentence is the maximum.