Alleged threats could lead to jail for Oak Harbor man

A 25-year-old Oak Harbor man is facing jail time for threatening to kill his ex-girlfriend, court documents indicate.

Prosecutors charged Leo Mathis in Island County Superior Court Dec. 14 with harassments (threats to kill), misdemeanor violation of a court order and telephone harassment. He pleaded not guilty Dec. 28.

Oak Harbor Police Officer Jennifer Rutledge investigated the case after a woman reported on Dec. 9 that Mathis had threatened to kill her and her boyfriend. A judge had issued a domestic violence no-contact order barring Mathis from contacting the woman.

While the officer was at the woman’s home, Mathis called his ex-girlfriend’s phone. Officer Rutledge answered the phone and Mathis, not realizing who it was, swore at her, the report states.

Mathis told Rutledge that he was in Aberdeen, but later in the day he allegedly called the woman again and threatened that he was going to assault his own father and then go to her house.

Mathis had been arrested in November for assaulting his father after he wouldn’t let Mathis have his shotgun, Rutledge wrote.

Rutledge warned the Island County Sheriff’s Office of the threat since Mathis’ father lives in the county. About 20 minutes later, deputies responded to a verbal dispute at the house involving Mathis. Mathis hid in the woods, but a deputy later caught him as he emerged.

Superior Court Judge Alan Hancock set Mathis’ bail at $25,000 Dec. 10. If convicted of the charges, Mathis could face up to a year in jail under the standard sentencing range.

Contact Whidbey News Times Assistant editor Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewsgroup.com or 360.675.6611 ext. 5056.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.