HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – A Havre man pleaded not guilty to two felonies last Monday in Hill County District Court on allegations that he pistol whipped his girlfriend in the head.
John Eric Stiffarm pleaded not guilty to felony assault with a weapon and tampering with or fabricating physical evidence, as well as misdemeanor partner of family member assault.
Court documents state that on June 14th, Havre Police Officers responded to a fire alarm call at the 1200 block of 10th Street West.
Officers discovered someone had attempted to remove the fire extinguisher from a cabinet of the apartment building, activating the alarm.
Officers were then approached by a woman who said her friend was pistol whipped. After an investigation, Officers were led to believe that Stiffarm had pistol whipped his girlfriend in the head and hid the weapon, a black Hi-Point .380 ACP pistol, at the bottom of a garbage can in the kitchen of their apartment.
According to a witness, Stiffarm appeared intoxicated, and the pistol whipping occurred in front of the woman’s two children.
Stiffarm was arrested on an outstanding warrant and placed in the Hill County Detention Center.
Bond had been set at $50,000, but at the arraignment, it was decided he would be allowed to be released on his own recognizance, subject to the conditions of the warrant and with the requirement he continue to wear a monitoring bracelet.
No future court dates have been set.
