On November 8, Luke Edward Rothering, 37, of Harmony, appeared before District Court Judge Carol M. Hanks. Rothering is charged with two felonies; Terroristic Threats – Reckless Disregard Risk, and Domestic Assault – By Strangulation. The first carries a maximum criminal penalty of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine. The second carries a maximum criminal penalty of three years in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both. On or about November 7, a Fillmore Sheriff’s Deputy was dispatched to rural Harmony regarding an alleged domestic assault. The caller alleged her boyfriend (Rothering) had come home drunk and assaulted her. She then left for another location. In further speaking with the victim, she elaborated that the pair allegedly had a disagreement and the defendant started breaking things. The victim was going to call the police, but couldn’t. The defendant allegedly reacted with violence including strangling the victim while also saying he could “beat her head in,” he could “crack her skull,” and he could “kill her.” He later allegedly broke her phone and flung the victim by her arm. The pair’s one-year-old son was there. The defendant allegedly stated “daddy is going to break his arm.” The victim was able to flee with the children, and was allegedly advised by the defendant’s mother to call the police, because this wasn’t the first time. An officer went and took pictures of the victim’s neck and face. When officers went to the residence of the incident, they observed a lot of broken things in the home. An officer found two rifles and a shotgun next to the bed where the defendant was sleeping. They were removed before Rothering was stirred. The defendant allegedly couldn’t be roused by calling his name loudly. Handcuffs were placed on the defendant as he slept, due to his size and potential level of violence. When Rothering was awakened, he was allegedly generally cooperative, but slurred his words and was emotional. Rothering’s P.B.T. came back .210.
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