Wisconsin Rapids Man Charged with Stalking, Strangulation

By Joe Bachman

A 41-year-old man is charged with strangulation, battery and stalking after police say he assaulted and suffocated a family member.

Brian Whiteley, of Wisconsin Rapids, is charged with strangulation and suffocation, battery, and stalking. According to police reports on Aug. 19, 2015, a call was made to have an officer dispatched to a disturbance on the 1500 block of Boles St. The officer made contact with the complainant, who stated that she was assaulted by her then live-in boyfriend.

The complainant told police that she had allegedly asked Whiteley to move out over a week prior to the incident, inciting eventual aggression from Whiteley. After asking Whiteley to leave, Whiteley grabbed the complainant by the ear and covered her mouth making it hard for her to breathe. The complainant tried defending herself, and in the process had her thumb bitten by Whiteley.

At a later date, courts found that Whiteley violated a court order to have no contact with the complainant by visiting her residence.

If convicted, Whiteley faces up to six years imprisonment and up to $10,000 in fines for charges of strangulation, as well as three years and six months imprisonment for stalking and related charges.

A 12-person jury trial has not been scheduled. Check back for updates.