Mossyrock man accused of assaulting a woman in February charged
May 15—A Mossyrock man accused of assaulting a woman in February is now facing one count of second-degree assault in Lewis County Superior Court.
An officer with the Morton Police Department, which covers the Mossyrock area, responded to a Mossyrock residence on Feb. 18 when a witness reported Cooper Alan Eugene Minkler had put his hands around a woman's throat, according to court documents.
At the time, the woman reported that the assault was "consensual."
"Based on this information, no arrest was made that night," according to charging documents filed in Lewis County Superior Court.
The investigation was reopened on March 10 "because it was reported that what was reported did not take place," according to court documents.
When questioned, Minkler allegedly provided a written statement stating "that he gets blackout angry" and "wrote out a statement about what happened that night and provided it to (the officer)."
Regarding the victim's initial statement, Minkler allegedly "said that she made that up so that he would not get in trouble," according to court documents. He allegedly "said she did not know why he became angry at her, but he has a problem."
The Lewis County Prosecutor's Office charged Minkler with one count of second-degree assault, domestic violence, on April 16, according to court records.
Minkler was issued a summons notice for a May 14 preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court, which he was present for.
Judge J. Andrew Toynbee ruled Tuesday to allow Minkler to remain out of custody on his own personal recognizance for the duration of the case. A no-contact order protecting the victim is in place.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, May 23.
