A Chehalis man with previous convictions is now facing another domestic violence assault charge after he allegedly punched his girlfriend in the face on New Year’s Eve.
Jeremiah James Ryland, 41, of Chehalis, was charged Jan. 2 in Lewis County Superior Court with one count of felony fourth-degree assault, domestic violence.
While usually a gross misdemeanor, fourth-degree assault can be charged as a class C felony in Washington state if the defendant has a history of domestic violence.
Bail is set at $100,000.
Ryland was arrested and booked into the Lewis County Jail at 12:25 a.m. on Jan. 1 after officers with the Centralia Police Department responded to a report of a physical dispute on Southwest Pacific Avenue about an hour prior.
The victim reported that Ryland, who she identified as her boyfriend, had pushed her and punched her in the face during a verbal argument.
An officer documented that the victim’s injuries were consistent with her account of the incident, according to court documents.
Ryland reportedly returned to the scene in his vehicle while the officer was still there. He allegedly sped away when he saw police were present.
He was quickly located at the intersection of Market Boulevard and North National Avenue.
He has denied the allegations that he assaulted the victim.
Ryland’s criminal history includes 10 prior domestic violence convictions, according to Judge Joely Yeager. The bulk of those convictions are no-contact order violations.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 8.
