A father accused of choking and beating his 3-year-old son with a belt during a family outing in the Flathead Valley in July is now facing a pair of felony charges.  

Prosecutors have brought Justin Tyler Longmore, 27, of Plains up on counts of assault on a minor and strangulation of a partner or family member. Longmore pleaded not guilty at his Sept. 3 arraignment before Judge Danni Coffman in Flathead County District Court.  

Deputies with the Flathead County Sheriff's Office began investigating Longmore after his wife contacted the authorities on July 8. She accused her husband of putting their child in a chokehold while the family celebrated the Fourth of July holiday at a home on Country View Trail, according to court documents.  

Witnesses told investigators that Longmore grew angry after the boy ran his younger sibling over with a battery-powered car. The 27-year-old allegedly lifted the child up by the neck, holding him in the crook of his elbow.  

Several witnesses said the boy turned blue and began coughing as soon as Longmore released him, according to court documents.  

One of the witnesses told deputies that Longmore -- who is on probation out of Yellowstone County for assault on a peace officer and criminal endangerment, according to court documents -- drank most of an 18-pack of beer during the outing. He recalled Longmore removing his belt and using it to strike the boy, hitting him three or four times using a full swing, court documents said. 

That witness described Longmore as violent and combative throughout his life, and said the 27-year-old turns mean when drinking alcohol, according to court documents. He recalled confronting Longmore about his behavior over breakfast the following morning.  

"Well, it's called discipline; they need to [expletive] learn," Longmore allegedly replied.  

When deputies interviewed him, Longmore said his memory of the alleged abuse was hazy. He said he remembered wrapping his arms around his son's waist and chest, according to court documents.  

When investigators confronted him with witness statements, Longmore allegedly conceded handling his son roughly.  

"If it actually happened, it happened," he allegedly said. "I just have no recollection of it." 

Pressed on his alcohol consumption, Longmore told deputies he had three or four beers, but later admitted drinking eight to nine, court documents said.  

Longmore also allegedly admitted to letting his emotions get out of hand on the day of the alleged abuse.  

"Honestly, I felt very frustrated with myself because I let my anger catch the better of me right there," he said. "I was really kicking myself and I was just, like, I handled it wrong." 

Longmore later told deputies he "went over the top" in addressing his son's behavior, court documents said.  

An omnibus hearing in Longmore's case is scheduled for Oct. 30 with a pretrial conference to follow on Nov. 20. 

Strangulation of a partner or family member carries a maximum penalty of up to five years in prison and a $50,000 fine. If convicted, Longmore could also expect to undergo counseling at his expense. 

Assault on a minor is punishable by up to five years behind bars and a $50,000 fine.   

News Editor Derrick Perkins can be reached at 406-758-4430 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.