STRONG — A Phillips man is accused of choking a woman until she nearly passed out early Saturday at a residence on South Strong Road, Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. said Monday.

Deputy Andrew Morgan responded to a report of a disturbance at the residence at 1:38 a.m. An unnamed person stopped the assault by pushing John Pillsbury away from the woman, he said. Pillsbury, 52, fled the scene in a vehicle, Nichols said.

Cpl. Matthew Brann quickly located Pillsbury’s vehicle in Strong, stopped it and arrested Pillsbury on the probable cause information obtained by Morgan.

Pillsbury was charged with aggravated assault and a misdemeanor of violating conditions of release. Pillsbury also was issued a summons on a misdemeanor charge of operating under the influence. 

The aggravated assault charge is punishable by a maximum 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

The violation of release conditions charge stems from Pillsbury’s arrest on Jan. 22 on assault and burglary charges.

A Franklin County jury acquitted Pillsbury in February 2014 on felony charges of domestic violence reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon, and a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence assault.

dperry@sunmediagroup.net