EPHRATA - A Moses Lake man is accused of assaulting and threatening to kill his girlfriend.

Christopher L. Helgeson, 31, was charged recently with one count of second-degree assault (strangulation), harassment (threat to kill) and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm. The first two counts included a domestic violence enhancement.

The victim provided a statement to Moses Lake police officers about the alleged assault. Before the interview began, the victim reportedly had red dots around her right eye that looked like broken blood vessels, swelling on her forehead and was complaining of throat pain and a headache, according to court documents.

The victim stated that Helgeson allegedly tried to start a fight with her after she had put their 9-month-old son to sleep.

According to the victim's statement, Helgeson reportedly wouldn't let her into the bedroom and began choking her and threatening to kill her after she insulted him. Helgeson allegedly stopped choking her when she apologized.

Later, Helgeson allegedly pulled her off of the couch by her legs, slammed her into the refrigerator and punched her in the face three times.

According to the police report, the victim went outside to call a friend for help when Helgeson allegedly came outside with their son in one arm and an assault rifle in the other.

The victim stated Helgeson went back inside the house, put the child and rifle down then came back outside and began choking and threatening her again.

When the victim's friend arrived to help they were reportedly able to safely leave with the child.

On Monday, Moses Lake police served a search warrant for Helgeson's Elgin Road residence.

According to the police report, Helgeson was taken into custody peacefully and ammunition and firearms were found inside the residence.

Helgeson had a previous burglary conviction in Montana making it illegal for him to carry a firearm in Washington.

Helgeson appears in court on Monday.