Machete Wielding Man Accused Of Beating and Strangling Girlfriend

A man claiming to be 47 year-old Roy Ereaux appeared in Missoula Justice Court on Thursday, accused of beating and strangling his girlfriend and threatening her with a machete when she called 9-1-1.

He has been charged with several felonies, including strangulation, assault with a weapon, partner or family member assault, and tampering with witnesses.

An official with Victims Services said Ereaux's real name was Roy Randall Jackson, and had been living under several aliases.

Deputy Missoula County Attorney Mark Handelman  explained to Judge Landee Holloway why he was asking for bail of $50,000.

"The incident began with a verbal argument that escalated to a physical attack, with the defendant hitting her in the face with his hands and his shoe," Handelman said. "The defendant then shoved the victim's face into a cabinet hard enough to put a hole in it. The defendant then put both hands around the victim's neck and squeezed until she saw stars."

At this point, the female victim attempted to call 9-1-1.

"The defendant grabbed the phone from her and told her that 9-1-1 would call back," he said. "He then grabbed a homemade machete and held it over the victim's head and told her when 9-1-1 called back to say everything was OK, which the victim did.The defendant was making swinging motions with the machete while she was on the phone with 9-1-1.The State is asking for $50,000 bail because the defendant is a danger to the community. The defendant has strangled this victim before with an extension cord, and often perpetrates violence against this victim."

Handelman then went on to detail an extensive criminal history.

Judge Holloway set bail at $50,000 and ordered the defendant to appear again on November 14.