By Ray King
A $15,000 bond was set Tuesday for a Redfield man accused of hitting two members of his family and his girlfriend during an altercation.
Jefferson County District Judge Kim Bridgforth set the bond after ruling prosecutors have probable cause to charge Ryker Branch, 19, with aggravated assault on a family or household member, second-degree domestic battery and second offense third-degree domestic battery.
Reading from an affidavit by Sheriff’s Investigator Sandra Harper, Deput Prosecutor Brittaney Akel said on Sunday, sheriff’s deputies were dispatched to a reported domestic disturbance at an address in Redfield and Redfield Police arrived and detained Branch.
Akel said Branch’s sister is 4 to 6 weeks pregnant and Branch knew she was pregnant. His brother also told deputies Branch put his hands around the brother’s throat and choked him, and Branch had also knocked his sister to the ground.
Harper reported that when Branch was questioned, he admitted knowing his sister was pregnant and admitted putting his hands around his brothers’ throat.
Branch was ordered to have no contact with the victims and told to come back to court Sept. 18.
