Man with multiple domestic violence cases arrested again for allegedly threatening woman to recant police report

SALMON — A 44-year-old man has been charged with domestic battery again, just months after being charged with domestic battery after allegedly attacking a different woman.

Jonathan Mortimer was charged on June 18 with felony intimidating a witness, threatening, harassing or preventing them from testifying.

Mortimer has another open case from November, where he is charged with felonies for domestic battery, attempted strangulation, and misdemeanor intentional destruction of a telecommunication line.

According to court filings, Mortimer has been assigned a public defender. Jordan Crane has been appointed a public defender. The Idaho State Public Defender’s Office does not comment on active cases.

Recent case

According to court documents, a Salmon police officer met with a woman on May 7 to discuss the “ongoing pattern of harassment, intimidation, and past domestic abuse by John Mortimer.”

The officer writes in their report that Mortimer “created an environment of fear, emotional distress, and instability” for the victim.

The victim told the officer that she had experienced multiple domestic violence incidents and was “repeatedly intimidated” by Mortimer. She stated that she was experiencing threats, victim blaming, manipulation, financial abuse, and physical fear.

The victim stated she had initially reported a domestic violence incident in February 2023, but recanted it due to being scared of Mortimer. Since then, the victim says Mortimer has allegedly stalked and maliciously harassed her.

Police reports say in 2023, the two had gotten into an argument, and she was standing by a sliding glass door. Mortimer reportedly “chest bumped” her, and then “head butted her on her right cheek and eye.”

At the time, she called 911 to report the incident and spoke with officers who took photos of her eye. Officers also reportedly spoke to a child in the home who they said was crying and upset and “has seen the domestic violence.”

After his arrest, the victim says Mortimer continually pressured her to call the prosecutor to take back her statement to the police. He also allegedly “forced her to pay for his attorney to get out of the charges.”

Eventually, the victim retracted her statement because Mortimer “told her it was all her doing and she had better take care of it.”

According to the police report, the victim told the officer that recanting her statement was “the worst mistake she ever made.” After this report, Mortimer was booked and released from the Lemhi County Jail. A no-contact order was issued for the victim.

He is expected to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 21. If convicted, Mortimer could face up to 5 years in prison and fines of up to $50,000.

Earlier case

According to court documents, on Nov. 24, a Salmon Police officer was called to a home in Salmon for a domestic violence incident.

This case involves a different victim from the case described above.

When the officer arrived, Mortimer and a woman were standing outside the home.

Officers spoke to the woman, who reportedly had a purple “golf ball-sized lump” on her forehead, along with blood on her upper lip, red marks on her right elbow, a torn tank top, and red marks on the right side of her cheek and neck area.

The officer writes in the report that the injuries “indicated that (the victim) may have been choke(d) or strangled in some way.”

The victim stated that she had been drinking and was “crying and shaking.” Officers say she “seemed to be scared and shaken up” as she reported that Mortimer “beat the s*** out of me.”

According to the victim, she was sleeping in bed when Mortimer came into the room and “started to beat her.” She stated that he allegedly “grabbed her and punched her in the face and (threw) her off the bed.”

The victim stated that Mortimer then “stomped on her head while she was on the floor.” Police say the woman claimed she did not fight back, and that “he has her money.”

According to the victim, Mortimer was angry because she would not give him money. Officers went to the bedroom where the alleged attack occurred, and reportedly saw the room was in “disarray” with cans and a lamp knocked off a nightstand, and pillows on the floor.

The victim said she was punched in the head multiple times before being dragged off the bed, where Mortimer reportedly asked her if “she had enough” before stomping on her head with his foot.

She also stated that Mortimer had twisted up her shirt with his fist to choke her and had broken her phone during the attack. When asked what money Mortimer took, the victim said he had stolen $200 from her and her son, which was to be used for Christmas.

The victim was then transported to Steele Memorial Hospital for treatment. Officers then spoke with Mortimer who claimed that the victim “beat the s*** out of” him.

In their report, the officer says it appeared that Mortimer was “heavily intoxicated and had heavy slurred speech.”

Mortimer stated he did not want to press charges against the woman. Police say he had “some blood on his lip and a cut on the palm of his hand.”

He reportedly told officers that he was in the bedroom when the woman began hitting him, saying, “She does this all the time.” When asked about the money, Mortimer reportedly took a large wad of cash from his back pocket and told the officer he got it because he “did a job.”

Officers told Mortimer he was under arrest for domestic battery, and said that he “seemed astounded that he was being placed under arrest.” Mortimer reportedly refused medical treatment, then allowed EMS to wrap his hand.

He was then transported to the Lemhi County Jail and booked on a $50,000 bond, which he paid. He was released and sent to pre-trial supervision on the same day.

During his booking at the jail, Mortimer reportedly continued to state that the woman had “beat the s*** out of him” before falling backwards and cutting his hand on a jail bed.

In this case, Mortimer is expected to appear for a pre-trial conference on August 18. A jury trial has been scheduled for Sept. 16. If convicted, he could face up to 26 years in prison.

Though Mortimer has been charged with these crimes, it does not necessarily mean he committed them. Everyone is presumed innocent until they are proven guilty.