COEUR d’ALENE — A man is facing multiple felony charges after police said he sexually assaulted a woman.

The 35-year-old Hayden man is charged with forcible penetration by use of a foreign object, domestic battery and attempted strangulation, all felonies. The Press is not naming him at this time because that could identify the victim. 

The charges stem from Monday, when a woman reported an alleged assault that she said occurred earlier this month. 

The woman told police she was in a dating relationship with the Hayden man and the two shared an apartment. She said he got on top of her the morning of Jan. 16 and held her nose and mouth shut, cutting off her air, after she refused his sexual advances. She said she briefly lost consciousness, according to court records. 

After she regained consciousness, the man allegedly clamped his hand around her throat and squeezed her neck while sexually assaulting her. Police officers observed bruising that ran from the woman’s left elbow to her left hand, which she said she sustained during the struggle. 

Police reviewed an audio recording of a conversation between the couple. In the recording, the woman recounted “telling him to get off her” and “attempting to push him off her,” while he acknowledged his actions were “not OK,” according to court records. 

When contacted by police, the man said he had put his hand around the woman’s throat and squeezed because she wanted him to do so. He said the woman “shook her head no” after a few seconds, according to court records, and then “slapped him in the face.” He denied sexually assaulting her. 

Police arrested the man Monday evening. 

In Idaho, forcible penetration by use of a foreign object is punishable by up to life in prison. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence or sexual abuse, reach Safe Passage 24/7 by calling 208-664-9303 or texting 208-449-7228.