On February 20, 2014, in the Carbon County District Court, Montana State Senator Jason Priest pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges that include partner/family member assault, felony assault on a minor, assault, and resisting arrest, as reported by 3KRTV.
The felony assault on a minor charge involves allegations that Priest injured his 4 year-old daughter by grabbing her and tossing her to the ground while arguing with his estranged wife. The child allegedly sustained a scalp injury and is fearful of being around Priest.
Due to the allegations of assault, and the child’s anxiety, Assistant Attorney General Mary Cochenour asked Judge Blair Jones to monitor Priest’s movement via a GPS. During Priest’s arraignment Cochenour said, “The children in this case are frightened to see their father.”
However Judge Jones denied Cochenour’s request, stating the victims and witnesses can feel safe just by the order of protection they have in place.
Priest’s bond was not raised and it continued at $1,500. Conditions of the bail are that he adheres to a 10 p.m. curfew and he cannot have either alcohol or firearms in his possession.
According to court records a Red Lodge police officer was called to be in attendance during a child’s pick-up on February 1. At that time Jason Priest and his wife Anna Priest were in the midst of a contentious divorce – and a bitter custody dispute over the couple’s three young children.
When Anna Priest arrived at the home police witnessed Jason Priest hurl derogatory words at her. Anna Priest’s boyfriend, Jonathan Trapp, came to the front gate of the house and Priest charged at him, knocked him to the ground and began punching him.
Though officers ordered Priest to stop beating Trapp he continued the assault. The officer then stepped in to try and get Priest, who was in a “blind rage”, off of Trapp, who was in a fetal position.
Finally detaining Priest the officer then notice the couple’s three children – aged 9, 7 and 4 – crying near the house’s front window.
According to court documents the reason Anna Priest had come to the house was because her youngest child had summoned her, stating that her father was cursing at her.
While the Priests were speaking in front of the house, Anna Priest said that Priest grabbed their 4 year-old daughter as if she were “a sack of potatoes” and threw her into his house. She landed on the floor – eight feet away from where she had been – and onto her head.
Priest denied throwing his child, and instead, he told police he had only picked her up and put her inside of the home.
Additionally, while the parents spoke, Anna Priest stated that Priest also grabbed her. Priest allegedly took her by the arm and tried to push her down the stairs of his porch. Priest also denied the allegations and stated that he grabbed her by the shoulder and only asked her to leave the premises. Court documents further detail that Priest said he responded appropriately and had just had a hard time remaining composed.
Documents state that Trapp sustained a broken rib and the 4 year-old had a swelling on her scalp that was one inch long.
If you have been the victim of domestic violence, don’t delay, contact a family law attorney that specializes in these types of cases. You must act to protect yourself and your children from further harm!
