All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
(Wind River Reservation, WY) – 19-year-old Mason Spoonhunter has been charged with felony assault by strangulation, according to federal court documents filed on July 24.
The federal complaint document on file states that on July 21, Spoonhunter left his residence, which is “located within the exterior boundaries of the Wind River Reservation,” to go to a friend’s house, where they went on to consume two 750 mL bottles of whiskey, as well as one case of beer.
Spoonhunter told law enforcement that he “could not recall how he arrived back home later that evening,” but he “likely called” a family member for a ride. He also told investigators that “on a scale from 1-10, with 10 being blackout drunk,” he was “blackout drunk.”
The complaint document goes on to state that when Spoonhunter arrived home, his girlfriend, who is also eight months pregnant with his child, asked him to leave when she realized he was drunk. Spoonhunter refused to leave, and an argument ensued. The complaint states that Spoonhunter “had never been physically violent with her in the past, however, while he was drunk, he was very rude and demeaning to her verbally.”
After the situation momentarily calmed down, the victim encountered Spoonhunter in the hallway of the residence, at which point he pushed her, placed his arm around her neck from behind, and began to squeeze his arm around her neck. During the altercation, the victim screamed for help from a family member who also lives in the home.
Spoonhunter then “squeezed harder and cut off (the victim’s) ability to breathe or scream,” and lifted her off the floor by her neck.
The victim told law enforcement that her “vision began to darken around the edges,” but her family member intervened before she lost complete consciousness.
Law enforcement soon arrived at the residence and arrested Spoonhunter, and the victim was taken to the emergency room, where she was ultimately “treated and released.”
Spoonhunter’s initial appearance hearing took place on July 28 in Lander before the Honorable Judge Teresa McKee, where his detention hearing and preliminary examination were set for July 31. A no-contact order was issued, prohibiting Spoonhunter from any direct, indirect, or third-party contact with the victim or her family member, as identified in the criminal complaint document. He remains detained at this time.
A felony assault by strangulation charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release.
County 10 will provide updates on the case as they become available, which can be viewed here.