34 year-old Wesley Gardiner appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Tuesday, charged with partner or family member assault, resisting arrest and obstructing a police officer. 

According to court records, on Monday, Gardiner allegedly beat and choked his girlfriend, and when police arrived to arrest him, he fled and ran into the Clark Fork River where he stayed for nearly and hour before officers were able to convince him to return to shore. At that point, Gardiner refused to be handcuffed and resisted arrest.

At his justice court appearance, Deputy Missoula County Attorney Brittany Santorno asked Judge Marie Anderson for $25,000 bail.

"The defendant posted $5,000 bond in an open district court case, and committed both this crime and a theft while on release from that case," Santorno said. "This is the defendant's fourth partner of family member assault, and the defendant's actions necessitated a rather large police response. The defendant committed both crimes while on pre-trial release in another case, and he's demonstrated that he cannot comply with court orders."

Judge Anderson set bail at $25,000 and ordered Gardiner to appear again on June 15.

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