An Agra man faces a felony assault charge and a misdemeanor count of violating a Protective Order following his arrest by Lincoln County deputies.
Steve Thomas Bottger, 62, was formally charged in Lincoln County District Court July 10 with Assault with a Dangerous Weapon, a felony, and Protective Order Violation.
He appeared before Special Judge Emily Mueller on July 5 and she set his bond at $100,000.
He made his initial appearance on July 18. He made a reappearance on Aug. 29 for a competency review and the matter was continued until Sep. 12.
In the felony count, Bottger is charged on July 3 of assaulting Caitlyn Potter with a rock, with intent to harm her by threatening to kill her with the rock.
The misdemeanor accuses him on the same day of violating a Protective Order issued by the District Court of Lincoln County.
Supplemental information filed by Assistant District Attorney Kelly Trimble shows that Bottger was previously convicted in Lincoln County District Court on April 3, 2013 of Assault with a Dangerous Weapon.
Lincoln County Deputy Sheriff Phillip Bennett, in a probable cause affidavit, states that on July 3 he was dispatched to the neighbors of Bottger at a residence on 3470 Road in Agra. Bottger reportedly was knocking on doors and attempting to open doors.
Bennett said the homeowner had called 911 for fear that Bottger would cause property damager and if able to gain entry into the home cause injury or damage inside.
The deputy said he and Deputy Hinkle responded and contacted Bottger walking on the property going from one house to another. Bennett said Bottger was in an agitated state acting out aggressively.
Bennett noted that he and Hinkle had prior calls on Bottger and were aware of his mental health issue.
Both deputies were able to visit with Bottger and placed him in the back seat of Bennett’s patrol unit so that the deputies could take him home and release him to his wife, Charline Bottger. None of the neighbors wanted to press charges due to Bottger’s illness and he had not done any harm or damage, the said.
Bennett states in the affidavit he received a call the following morning around 7:30 a.m., July 4, from Bottger’s wife that as he was eating breakfast that morning he got up and walked off. Bennett told her to call 911 and report him missing and he responded to Bottger’s residence and began looking for him.
The 911 center contacted Bennett telling him that Bottger was located at the corner of 800 County Road and 3370 Road. As he arrived at that location, he witnessed Bottger pick up a large rock the size of a basketball, he said, and aggressively approached a white Ford pickup truck yelling out expletives.
Bennett discovered the truck was occupied by Caitlyn Potter who had a protective order against Bottger.