A 31-year old Fairmont man is in custody and charged with felony Domestic Assault after an incident last Monday.
Police were called to a residence for a report of an assault. According to the police statement, the victim identified the perpetrator as Blake John Lawrence Strait, 31, of Fairmont. Police observed bruising on the victims left arm and back. The victim alleged that during an argument earlier in the day, Strait pushed them down and smashed their face into the ground. While the victim was on the ground, Strait allegedly placed his knee on the back of their neck, inhibiting their breathing. The victim also stated the perpetrator took their phone and smashed it on the ground, causing damage to the phone.
Strait was apprehended and taken to the Martin County Jail. He remains there pending charges of Felony Domestic Assault by strangulation, gross misdemeanor Domestic Assault, and misdemeanor criminal damage to property. A search of court records shows Strait was previously convicted of misdemeanor Domestic Assault in Emmet County, Iowa, in 2023.
A court date has yet to be set.