Libby man pleads not guilty to knife assault

A Libby man accused of threatening two women with a large knife during an incident at a Dakota Avenue residence recently pleaded not guilty.

Jason J. Switzer, 41, is lodged in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $35,000 bail and accused of assault with a weapon. At his arraignment Oct. 7, he pleaded not guilty.

Switzer's next hearing is scheduled for Nov. 11.

According to charging documents, the incident occurred at 12:39 p.m. Sept. 18. A 62-year-old woman called 911 and said Switzer pulled a knife on a 64-year-old woman before leaving the residence.

Libby police chief Cody Ercanbrack responded to the scene and spoke to both women. One of the women said Switzer was in their apartment since 2 a.m. They both told Ercanbrack he hadn’t slept in two days and was complaining about the house they live in. They asked him why he didn’t move and said he became agitated and used multiple profanities toward one woman.

One of the alleged victims said Switzer went into the kitchen, grabbed a large curved knife and allegedly thrusted it near her side. They said he commented, “I’ll (profanity) gut you like a pig (profanity).”

One woman said she was afraid Switzer was going to kill her. They told him to leave and he did. The women also told Ercanbrack the man lives in the apartment below them. 

While additional officers arrived, Ercanbrack knocked on Switzer’s door in an ill-fated attempt to get him to come out.

A few hours later, one of the women called law enforcement and said Switzer was back at their residence and extremely agitated. When Ercanbrack and a county deputy got to the scene, Switzer answered the door and was handcuffed.

Switzer allegedly admitted to the threat in an effort to, “make a point.”

The women said Switzer was angry with them when he learned they called law officers. He allegedly said that they would pay for calling law enforcement.

A conviction for assault with a weapon may result in a 20-year term in the Montana State Prison.