A 44-year old Merrill man remains in the custody of the Lincoln County Jail on $100,000 cash bond, facing numerous charges related to two separate domestic violence incidents earlier this month.
On Friday April 12, Spencer L. Smith was charged with six felony counts including intimidation of a victim by threat of force, theft of movable property from person or corpse, two counts of false imprisonment by use or attempt of force and two counts of 2nd degree sexual assault with use of force. In addition, Smith faces misdemeanor charges of battery, criminal damage to property and two counts of disorderly conduct. Each of Smith’s charges carry a domestic violence modifier.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, Smith was involved in two separate altercations with the same victim on April 1 and April 8. During the April 1 incident, Smith reportedly pushed the victim, causing the victim to fall. Later that day Smith took property belonging to the victim including a tablet and speakers. Smith allegedly returned the speakers but kept the tablet. During the April 8 incident, Smith forced the victim to unlock a cell phone, read content contained inside the phone and then proceeded to break the phone. Smith reportedly sexually assaulted the victim during the April 8 incident and threatened harm if the victim contacted law enforcement.
He was located later in the evening of Monday, April 8 after attempting to flee citizen witnesses who had spotted and began to follow him. While attempting to flee, Smith reportedly drove through the yard of a residence causing damage. He was later taken into custody without further incident.
Smith is due back in court for a scheduling conference on Thursday, May 2.