Libby man faces strangulation charge
A 35-year-old Libby man, Thomas Alestine Eaker, is facing charges of strangulation of a partner or family member, after an incident last month.
According to court documents, he tried to strangle his ex-girlfriend in March.
On March 10, a Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy reported to a disturbance on Leisure Lane along with Libby police officers. There they spotted one person running across a field toward a trailer.
They went to a bus where they knew this person was living, but did not see anyone else around. Authorities reported they also saw Eaker run up the road and disappear into the woods or one of the many buildings of vehicles on the property.
After a search did not turn up Eaker, they talked to the person they initially saw running. The person’s parents then showed up and said they would come to the sheriff’s office and make a complete statement.
Authorities were told this person had been in a relationship since July of 2024, and Eaker had moved into the bus with the person. A few weeks before the incident, she broke up with him and he moved out of the bus. They broke up because of ongoing violence between them, court documents said, turning violent during the winter.
On the day of the incident, Eaker messaged the person and wanted to talk. Since he was not allowed on the property where the person lived due to trespassing issues, they met on a neighbor's property.
According to the court documents, the conversation did not go well as Eaker was unwilling to accept their breaking up. When the person tried to talk away from Eaker, he grabbed her by the throat and began to strangle her with his hand and arm.
According to court documents, someone heard what was happening and called the mother of the person who arrived on the property. Eaker saw them and released the person, who ran through the woods. Authorities noted red marks on the person’s neck and an open wound caused by the thumbnail of a right hand.
Eaker made an initial appearance and bond was set for $75,000. Eaker faces five years in jail and a fine up to $50,000.