Jarrod R. Phillipi was prohibited by state law from contacting his girlfriend.
The Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office alleges he violated that no-contact order when he assaulted her two separate times on Aug. 20 and 21.
Phillipi, 34, of Centralia, faces six felony charges, including two counts of second-degree assault, domestic violence; one count of third-degree assault; and three counts of violation of a court order. He is charged with an additional misdemeanor for fourth-degree assault, domestic violence.
The second-degree assault charges each carry the greatest potential sentence of 10 years imprisonment and $20,000 in fines.
Phillipi made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Monday.
According to court documents, a Lewis County sheriff’s deputy was assigned to the case Aug. 22 after Providence Centralia Hospital reported a possible assault of a woman. The assault was said to have occurred in the Seminary Hill area of Centralia.
The deputy contacted the woman, who told him she had a protection order against the suspect. The suspect was her boyfriend, Phillipi.
The woman stated the two had decided to get back together. According to court documents, the woman said that, on Aug. 20, Phillipi “struck her in the head with both open hands and closed fists, and struck her numerous times in the left upper thigh, causing bruising.”
The assault allegedly began after the woman had declined to provide a massage for the suspect. It stopped because Phillipi was late for a meeting with the Department of Corrections.
The following day, Phillipi allegedly assaulted the woman again, slapping her and “covering her nose and mouth with his hands numerous times for approximately (five to 10) seconds each time,” according to court documents. He also allegedly punched her in the stomach and “hit her over the head with a cooking pot that was near them in the tent.”
The woman stated that Phillipi bit her left pinky finger, breaking it. She said he broke her bottom left rib. According to court documents, Phillipi told her not to leave the tent after the assault because of the visible bruises, saying “no one could see her that way.”
On Aug. 23, Phillipi was located by Centralia police for an “unrelated verbal dispute,” according to court documents.
During Phillipi’s preliminary appearance on Monday, Deputy Prosecutor Brandi Archer asked for a bail of $200,000, citing concern for Phillipi’s rapid recidivism. Phillipi has a third-degree assault, domestic violence, conviction involving the same victim from March 26 of this year. The current post-conviction domestic violence no contact order is active until March 26, 2031.
Archer noted the alleged suffocation of the victim, as well as her significant bruising.
“The state does have extreme concern for the community, particularly this victim, and is concerned that he will not return to court,” Archer said.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller said that Phillipi was “quite frustrated” with the charges and indicated he will have witnesses. Tiller asked the judge for consideration of either an unsecured bail, or else no more than $25,000.
Judge Joely Yeager granted the state’s request for $200,000 cash or bond, agreeing that Phillipi posed a significant risk to community safety, especially to the alleged victim, and noted the allegations of strangulation.
Yeager also granted the state’s request for a domestic violence no contact order on behalf of the victim, as well as an order for Phillipi to surrender any firearms.
When confirming whether Phillipi understood the no contact order, Phillipi responded, “I haven't had contact or seen that person since I was in here last time.”
An arraignment is set for Sept. 4. Donald Blair has been assigned to represent Phillipi.
