Wanted man arrested for stalking

COEUR d’ALENE — A man accused of choking his ex and leaving a dead animal on her porch is being held without bail.

The 31-year-old Washington resident is charged with stalking and attempted strangulation, both felonies, as well as with violation of a protective order, a misdemeanor.

The charges stem from January, when the man’s ex-wife contacted police about an incident she said occurred in late December 2020. She said her former husband came to her residence, despite a no contact order, and the pair argued.

He choked her with both hands and dragged her into the bedroom, she said, adding that their toddler walked in on the alleged attack. The woman said she grabbed the child and fled the residence.

After she reported the alleged attack, the woman said her ex-husband continued to contact her via text.

She provided the messages to police, according to court documents. The messages were threatening in nature, police said.

In mid January, the woman said she returned home to find the spine of a dead animal by her front door.

At the same time, she reportedly received a text message from her ex-husband, who she said she suspected was watching her from somewhere nearby.

The woman told police she believed the spine was a threat. She said she feared for her life.

Charges were filed against the man on Jan. 20. A judge issued a warrant for his arrest on the same day.

Officers with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office took the man into custody on Thursday.

Judge John Cafferty ordered Friday that the man be held on $50,000 bail.

However, the man was also wanted on a warrant for failing to appear in court on an unrelated charge. He is to be held without bond on that charge until he appears in court again in early May.

The Press is not naming the suspect at this time because that would reveal the identity of the victim. The Press tries to protect the privacy of victims.