Amery man facing almost 15 years in prison, if convicted

 

AMERY – A local man is facing troubling assault allegations that may lead to his spending nearly 15 years in prison if convicted. He is alleged to have tried to suffocate, slap and then sexually assault a woman in a domestic abuse case. According to a probable cause report filed by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the incident took place just after midnight on Monday, April 20, near Amery, when police were called to a domestic case involving allegations against Austin Donahue, 26, Amery.

 

In the report, it said the victim lived with him and that Donahue had become upset when going through the victim’s phone, accusing her of cheating on him, which led to Donahue allegedly choking her, to the point that she could not breathe, started to see stars and left visible marks on her neck.

 

Donahue is also accused of slapping her repeatedly as he brought her to the bathroom, forced her to strip naked and take a shower, while he sexually assaulted her, reportedly threatening to kill her, which she was afraid he may follow through on, as he was reportedly screaming at her the whole time.

 

When interviewed, Donahue denied anything physical occurred, and said it was an argument over her opinion on drugs, not about anything on her phone.

 

Donahue was taken into custody and subsequently charged with two felony counts of third-degree sexual assault and felony strangulation/suffocation, with a domestic abuse enhancer. He is also charged with misdemeanor battery and disorderly conduct, both with the same enhancers.

 

Donahue appeared in court for a bond hearing on April 20 before Judge Jeffery Anderson, who set a $1,000 cash bond and strict “no contact” orders for him, with his initial appearance slated for shortly after press time.