A Ravalli man, accused of assaulting his girlfriend, admitted to an amended charge and was sentenced in District Court in Polson Nov. 13.

Benjamin Paul Calderwood entered a plea of guilty to the amended charge of partner or family member assault, a misdemeanor, and a prior charge of felony criminal possession of dangerous drugs. He was initially charged with felony strangulation of a partner or family member, which was amended to a misdemeanor.

The plea agreement came with a joint recommendation that sentencing be deferred for three years on the drug possession charge, and that Calderwood serve one year in jail with all but time served of 47 days suspended on the assault charge. Judge John A. Mercer accepted the plea agreement and proceeded to sentencing.

According to court records, on Sept. 28, law enforcement responded to a report that a woman was being strangled. The victim told a responding officer that she and Calderwood had been together for a few months and recently moved in together.

However, on this day, the two had argued and it became physical and Calderwood threw her to the ground. He had a hold of her by her neck and began choking her. She told officers she thought she was going to pass-out and began scratching at him.

A Good Samaritan, who witnessed the incident, hit Calderwood on the head in an effort to stop the assault. Calderwood had what appeared to be a black eye during his arraignment.

The responding officer noticed the woman’s voice was “raspy, and at times, almost gone.” He also observed scratches on Calderwood, consistent with one trying to escape a headlock.

Calderwood was already facing the drug possession charge at the time of his arrest.

Jeff Smith is the news director for Anderson Broadcasting and a contributor to the Lake County Leader.