A Chehalis man has been charged for allegedly attempting to strangle a woman during a dispute in Centralia on March 29.
Kevin Lee Roberts is accused of grabbing the victim by the neck when she reportedly attempted to stop him from driving away from a residence in the 1100 block of Scammon Creek Road.
Roberts reportedly told police that he had gone to the residence to gather personal property that was stored there, but that the victim had denied him entry, and reportedly followed him back to his car.
Roberts stated that the victim leaned into the car to try and take the car keys out of the ignition but was unsuccessful, and Roberts left.
The victim reportedly told police that she had tried to stop Roberts from driving because he was intoxicated and she had observed an open alcohol container in the vehicle.
When she attempted to take the keys, Roberts allegedly “put his hands around her throat and squeezed” to the point where she stopped breathing, according to the affidavit of probable cause.
A neighbor reportedly heard the argument and pulled the victim away from the vehicle, at which point Roberts drove away.
The neighbor told police that they “observed (the victim) breathing with difficulty … holding her neck and gasping for air,” according to the affidavit.
Roberts faces one count of second-degree assault by strangulation, domestic violence — which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and up to $20,000 in fines. He was released from the Lewis County Jail on $20,000 unsecured bail on March 31.
A no-contact order is in place for the alleged victim. Roberts’ next scheduled court appearance is an arraignment hearing on April 8.
