Port Townsend man faces charges of felony assault, harassment

Published 12:01 am Tuesday, June 10, 2014

PORT TOWNSEND –– A Port Townsend man is expected to be arraigned Friday on felony charges that he allegedly entered the house of a former boyfriend, strangled him and threatened to kill him.

Roger Smith, 45, was released on his own recognizance Monday morning after a first appearance on felony charges of second-degree domestic violence assault and felony harassment for the alleged threat.

Smith was ordered restrained from contacting the victim and a neighboring witness, both of whom were not identified.

According to a Port Townsend Police Department news release issued Monday, officers Luke Bogues and Matt Krysinski arrested Smith at his Clay Street home at 6:29 p.m. Saturday for the alleged incident, which occurred at 11:30 a.m. that day.

According to the probable cause report, the victim was showering when he heard a loud banging on the door.

He opened it to see Smith in his car.

Police said Smith then entered the house without permission, offered the victim $20 and tried to take his phone.

Smith then allegedly grabbed the victim by his throat, took him to the ground, tried to bash his head on the stone tile floor and said he was going to kill the victim, according to police.