A 27-year-old Libby man charged with strangulation of a partner or family member after an alleged domestic assault last fall was sentenced recently.

Immanuel Shammar Brown was arrested Oct. 20 after Libby police officers responded to a report of a domestic dispute on the 500 block of Utah Avenue, according to police reports. Brown was arraigned Nov. 3 on the charge and pleaded not guilty. He was released on his own recognizance Nov. 14.

But Brown did an about-face Dec. 2 when he agreed to plead guilty to an amended charge of criminal endangerment. At a sentencing hearing Jan. 26, Lincoln County District Judge Matt Cuffe gave Brown a 3-year deferred term. He got credit for serving 26 days in custody.

When officers arrived Oct. 20 at the residence, Brown answered the door. Another man at the home told police that Brown and his girlfriend had been arguing and that she was in the basement.

According to court documents, officers found the woman downstairs, holding her 4-year-old son. Police reported she was crying, visibly distressed and told them Brown had grabbed her by the throat, pushed her to the ground and strangled her.

According to the report, officers observed bruising on her neck and right arm, and noted that her eyes appeared bloodshot, consistent with her account of being choked.

Brown was taken into custody at the scene. He originally faced up to five years in jail. 

Court records indicated Brown faced drug possession charges in 2019 in Sidney, Montana. Ultimately, they were dismissed. He has faced numerous charges in Lincoln County Justice Court since 2018. He pleaded guilty to careless driving, leaving the scene of an accident involving property damage, negligent endangerment, speeding, disorderly conduct, drug possession, driving on a suspended license and driving without insurance.