A Fortine man facing a felony charge for allegedly attacking his girlfriend was recently returned to custody for violating his release terms.

Joseph Glen Chester, 53, made his initial appearance in Lincoln County Justice Court Jan. 12 on a felony assault with a weapon charge and a misdemeanor partner or family member assault, causing bodily injury. Chester was arraigned on the charges Monday, Feb. 2, in Lincoln County District Court. He pleaded not guilty to both.

His next hearing will be March 9.

He was placed in the Lincoln County Detention Center on $150,000 bail following his Jan. 9 arrest at a residence on Blue Ridge Drive. Chester posted bail Jan. 16, but was back in custody Jan. 21 after allegedly failing to keep his pretrial supervision officer notified of his address, planned to obtain a Glock 40 caliber handgun that was in the possession of the Kalispell Police Department and called the alleged victim two days after his first court appearance. 

Chester’s terms of release included him not possessing firearms or contacting the alleged victim. A $500,000 arrest warrant was issued by Judge Jay Sheffield and he was arrested in Flathead County.

According to the probable cause statement by county deputy Michael Avila, he arrived at the law enforcement center Jan. 9 and spoke with a woman who appeared to be extremely emotional and in severe pain. The officer said she had difficulty walking, standing upright and sitting in a chair. Avila also saw wounds to her left eye, the top of her left hand and wrist.

The woman said Chester was taking testosterone and had snapped. She asked him what was wrong and he reportedly said, “they are coming.” She also said he carrying a gun. She also said he punched her and dragged her out of the house by her hair. Chester allegedly went inside, got a rifle and pushed it into her stomach, then kicked her in the back, legs and stomach.

The woman also said Chester told her he was going to kill her and she had never been that scared in her life. She also said they were together for 22 years and it was the first time something like this happened.

She said she got away from Chester after hiding in some rocks behind the residence.

When deputy Avila and Det. Holskey knocked on the door of the residence, they handcuffed Chester before finding a Glock handgun inside his waistband.

In the court filing about Chester’s alleged violations, Lincoln County Probation and Parole officer Vanessa Williamson said the defendant only said he was staying in a hotel on U.S. 93, but refused to specify the exact location. After his initial appearance Jan. 12 in front of Judge Jay Sheffield, he was told not to contact the alleged victim, but he reportedly did so two days later on Jan. 16.

Williamson also wrote she believed Chester posed a serious risk to the public following an accusation he drove to Taco Bell in Kalispell Jan. 2, became angry and yelled at employees while in the drive through lane. After he was refused service, he pulled up to the window and pulled out a knife. A female employee shut the window, then Glen allegedly walked to the main door and tried to get in while holding the knife.

Williamson also requested Glen wear a GPS monitor before he is released from custody.

Court records also indicate the alleged victim is seeking a order of protection against Chester and a hearing in the matter is scheduled for Feb. 11.