A Flathead Valley man is being held in the county jail after authorities said he tried to strangle his girlfriend during a dispute last month in Lakeside.

Jordan John James Patterson, 23, is charged with a felony count of strangulation of partner or family member after an Oct. 17 incident at a home on Blacktail Road.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, two deputies from the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office responded to the residence just after midnight. They spoke to a friend of the victim who said Patterson had assaulted his girlfriend.

When one deputy spoke to Patterson, she reported he appeared sweaty and wore a torn shirt. Patterson allegedly admitted there was a physical encounter, saying “he had a little argument with her.”

When the deputy met with the alleged victim, she saw that her eyes were red and puffy and that she had been crying. The deputy reported seeing numerous injuries to the woman, including bruises and cuts. The victim said Patterson has assaulted her and strangled her to the point where she lost consciousness.

The deputy said she saw clearly defined finger marks around the victim’s neck and that her voice was strained and raspy. The victim also complained of being in pain.

Two other people at the house said they heard what they believed to be part of the assault.

Patterson faces a maximum term of five years in state prison on the strangulation charge.

According to previous news accounts, Patterson was arrested in Idaho in 2014 for allegedly stealing a vehicle in Montana. He was accused of being involved in a number of burglaries.

According to Silverbow County Jail records, Patterson spent time there for a parole violation.

Reporter Scott Shindledecker may be reached at 406-758-4441 or sshindledecker@dailyinterlake.com.