CLEARFIELD – A Lanse man has been accused of strangling and threatening to kill a woman during a domestic dispute.
Keith Allen Billotte, 45, has been charged by Trooper Adam Cummings of the Clearfield-based state police with felony strangulation, misdemeanor terroristic threats and simple assault and summary harassment.
Billotte waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday during centralized court at the Clearfield County Jail. His bail is currently $10,000 monetary.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred at approximately 2 a.m. Dec. 22 at a Maple Street residence in Cooper Township, according to the affidavit of probable cause filed through the office of Magisterial District Judge Jerome Nevling.
While at the scene, Cummings spoke with the victim who said Billotte came home after drinking all night at Sutton’s Bar. She said he began screaming and accusing her of cheating on him, and because of his level of intoxication, she was unable to calm him down.
In the bedroom, Billotte allegedly grabbed her by the neck with both hands, squeezing until she thought she was going to pass out. She said he continued to scream and yell, then threw her across the room.
At this point, she said he began to slap her and when she begged for him to stop, he commented: “Expletive you. I’m going to expletive kill you.” She said she managed to separate herself from him to call police.
The victim sustained multiple scratches, redness and bruising on her neck area. She also had redness and swelling on her right leg where Billotte slapped her, according to the affidavit.
Troopers located Billotte sleeping and determined he was highly intoxicated. He repeatedly claimed he didn’t do anything, and that he’d been asleep the entire time.
Billotte was lodged in county jail on a detainer from the Clearfield County Adult Probation Department.