A Post Falls man was sentenced to prison for strangulation, intimidation

A Post Falls man was sentenced Monday to 20 years in prison with the possibility of parole after five years after pleading guilty to aattempted strangulation, intimidation of a witness and violation of the no-contact regime.

The conviction of Christian Michael Stone, 23, stemmed from an Aug. 21 incident when police responded to a report of domestic violence, according to a Friday press release from the Kootenay County District Attorney’s Office.

During the investigation, police learned that Stone strangled and/or attempted to strangle his partner on more than one occasion between April and August, the release said.

Magistrate Judge John Cafferty on Aug. 22 ordered Stone held on $5,000 bail and issued a no-contact order.

“However, in the days following his arrest, Stone violated the no-contact order by subpoenaing his significant other and another witness from jail and attempting to influence their cooperation and/or testimony in the case,” the release said.

At the time, Stone was on probation for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, the release said.

Stone also had three pending cases in Spokane County since April: domestic violence, violation of a protection order and resisting arrest.

Stone was sentenced by District Judge Ross Pittman.