Local man charged with drug possession, domestic violence and violating protective order

BONNERS FERRY — A Boundary County man is charged with domestic battery, violation of a protection order and drug possession.

On Feb. 21, Boundary County Sheriff Office Dept. Jason Trujillo responded to a report of domestic battery in the 6000 block of Monroe Street. Joshua C. Mutter was indicted in connection to the incident and was served a civil protection order on Feb. 22.

Later that day, police said Mutter violated the protective order by contacting the alleged victim.

Feb 23, Bonners Ferry Police Officer Brandon Johnson met the victim at the residence so she could collect her belongings. She told the officer that Mutter had been showing signs of taking methamphetamine again, Johnson wrote in an affidavit.

Located in Mutter’s belongings, Johnson discovered drug paraphernalia and methamphetamine. A warrant was issued for Mutter’s arrest with bond set at $50,000.

On Feb. 27, Mutter violated the protected order again by texting and visiting the residence where the alleged victim has been staying.

On March 1, Mutter was arrested for a felony warrant on the grounds of violating the protective order by BFPD Sgt. Willey Cowell. Mutter made bond that evening and messaged her again after being released.

BFPD Assistant Chief Marty Ryan wrote in an affidavit that “[Mutter] violated still standing CPOR through “messages clearly attempting to intimidate, even threaten the victim.”

From the text “I’m going to let you know something [Victim’s name] the myth about the most dangerous man isn’t a myth and you activated him.”

“I’m going to put you in jail [name] you know that right you and [name].”

“I have gathered so much evidence against you and her that it will not be hard I’m not sorry and you deserve every hour in jail”

“Brandon Johnson, too, so hope it was worth it”

The messages continued throughout the night and into the morning of March 2, police said.

“All I wanted [name] was for my life to go back to normal but something happened to me and something awoke in me that laid dormant for a long time I have a mission and a goal so quit getting in my way and if you want to help yourself then pull that stupid protective order cause it’s what’s going to put [you] in jail.”

Mutter also sent her the message “Mexi said hi,” according to screenshots provided by police in sworn affidavit.

Ryan said the victim believes the messages are intended to scare her as it indicates a message from Miguel Vasquez-Estrada.

The alleged victim advised Ryan that she fears for her life. Ryan wrote that there is overwhelming probable cause that Mutter is not just violating the protective order, but is also doing so in order to intimate the victim so she drops the CPOR and does not pursue charges against him.

Mutter has a jury trial scheduled for April 19 on the charges of domestic violence and violation of the protective order.

He has separate cases on a felony charge of witness intimidation, a misdemeanor charge alleging a no contact order violation; and enhancement as a persistent violator, a felony. Mutter also is being charged on three felony charges of possession of methamphetamine, a misdemeanor charge of possession of marijuana and a misdemeanor charge of possession of drug paraphernalia with intent to use. A preliminary hearing for these charges is scheduled for April 22.

On April 8, Mutter’s public defender Linda Payne made a motion to withdraw from the case.

“Recently the state provided letters from Mr. Mutter through discovery wherein he made statements which could cause him to be a witness against two current clients,” she said.

Payne said that she can’t cross examine Mutter as a witness in regard to other cases. Rex Finney is now representing Mutter.

Mutter has had previous cases in Boundary County the past decade, including for burglary.