Local man faces assault charge
LAUREN REICHENBACH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years AGO
I’ve spent most of my life in northeastern Washington and graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2021. After that, I spent roughly two years working for a small online newspaper in North Seattle before realizing big city living wasn’t for me. Me and my pup, Kodak, headed east, where we eventually landed in Sandpoint. When I’m not writing, you can find me spending time exercising and taking photos. I ran two half marathons in high school and after spending the past few years recovering from various injuries, I’m hoping to complete my first full marathon by the end of the year. I also love any outdoor activity, none of which would be complete without my dog. Kodak and I love going for walks and hikes, and I can’t wait to try to convince him to get in my kayak and spend the hot months of the year on Lake Pend Oreille. While he’s not a fan of baths, he sure does love chasing the ducks. | September 23, 2023 1:00 AM
A 50-year-old man was arrested earlier this month on charges of aggravated assault and resisting arrest after deputies allege he attacked a family member and fought law enforcement officers.
On Sept. 4, Bonner County Sheriff’s deputies received calls that a man had attacked and threatened to kill a family member outside Laclede. The man had allegedly fled in the family member’s car.
While deputies were en route to the scene, they spotted a vehicle matching the description they were given and conducted a traffic stop. The man – later identified as Mark A. Johnson – allegedly half-complied with deputies' commands. Court records contend deputies noticed Johnson had glassy eyes, slurred speech and was unsteady on his feet. When Johnson was asked to walk back to a patrol vehicle, he allegedly refused.
“I stepped toward [Johnson] as I was going to take control of his arm in an effort to have him walk to the rear of his truck,” a deputy wrote in the probable cause affidavit. “[Johnson] raised his foot and kicked me in the left hip.”
Johnson was eventually detained and deputies went to speak with the family member. According to court records, they had returned home and found Johnson asleep. When they began trying to clean up the house, Johnson awoke and allegedly came at the family member with a raised fist. Court records contend that Johnson allegedly threatened to kill the family member and claimed he was going to snap their neck.
Johnson allegedly put the family member into a headlock and when the alleged victim tried to grab a phone and dial 911, court records said Johnson pulled the phone out of their hand.
“[The family member] said she attempted to go out the front door and [Johnson] grabbed her by the ponytail and pulled her back into the house,” a deputy wrote in the probable cause affidavit.
Court records contend Johnson again put the family member into a headlock before they were able to pull away and run outside, calling for help.
Johnson was arrested on charges of aggravated assault, assault on a law enforcement officer, driving under the influence and resisting/obstructing officers. His bail was set at $25,000 and his preliminary hearing was held Sept. 13.
ARTICLES BY LAUREN REICHENBACH
Ponderay man arrested on domestic battery charge
A Ponderay man has been arrested on charges of felony domestic battery after police allege he peed on his partner, sent out salacious photos of her, and hit her in the head with a chair.
BOCC approves budget adjustment
The Bonner County commissioners unanimously approved a budget adjustment Tuesday following a miscalculation in a spreadsheet.
Sandpoint man arrested on charges of kidnapping, rape
A local man has been arrested after allegedly kidnapping and raping a woman in the City Beach parking lot.