HAVRE, Mont. (NMB) – A Havre man who has been previously convicted of domestic abuse on five separate occasions is in the Hill County Detention Center after being accused of violating the conditions of his release.
Rick Valdez is accused of walking out of a Chemical Dependency Center earlier this month while awaiting a jury trial on charges stemming from an alleged incident in January 2020 where Valdez is accused of assaulting his girlfriend and threatening law enforcement. He pleaded not guilty to the felony charges of Partner or Family Member Assault, Threats and Other Improper Influence in Official and Political Matters, as well as misdemeanor Resisting Arrest.
In a separate case, Valdez has been charged with the felonies of Aggravated Kidnapping and Partner or Family Member Assault (3rd or subsequent offense). He is also charged with misdemeanor Criminal Destruction of or Tampering with a Communication Device.
Court documents state that in January 2017, Valdez beat up his girlfriend on multiple occasions. He is also alleged to have used physical force to prevent the woman from leaving his residence. Valdez is also believed to have confiscated the woman’s cellphone.
Injuries the woman sustained included a broken jaw, a broken eye socket and two head fractures.
After the woman escaped and spoke with authorities and a warrant to enter Valdez’ residence was granted, he was arrested by officials from the Hill County Sheriff’s Office.
This case was previously dismissed in 2017, pursuant to a deferred prosecution agreement. The Hill County Attorney’s Office is refilling charges after determining Valdez did not abide by the agreement.
Valdez has been in the Hill County Detention Center since April 17th. He is scheduled to be arraigned on April 29th in Hill County District Court on charges stemming from the January 2017 case.
His five previous domestic violence convictions came in 1998 (Havre City Court), 1999 (Havre City Court and Hill County District Court), 2000 (Hill County District Court), and 2008 (Missoula County District Court).
