Liberal Man Allegedly Batters, Strangles Woman in Motel Room

A man from Liberal, Kan. has been arrested after he allegedly strangled, beat and tried to kidnap a woman late last year in a motel room.

It was Nov. 29, 2009, when Police were called to the Pioneer Motel in Guymon for an assault with a dangerous weapon, according to official documents obtained from the Texas County Court Clerk’s Office. A warrant was issued for 50-year-old Tony D. Harviston of Liberal, Kan. and he was finally arrested just last week.

Upon officer’s arrival, they found a female victim with three lacerations and red marks on her neck. Officials also desribed her as extremely shaky and unsteady on her feet. She alleges that Harviston was holding her in the motel room, beating her with wine bottles over the head and strangling her. Harviston allegedly attempted to burn the sheets on the bed. The victim also alleges that Harviston kicked holes into the wall and shattered the TV into pieces.

The victim claims that Harviston called her and told her to come pick him up or he would kill her family. The affidavit for probable cause also states that the two went out to a nearby bar where Harviston drank approximately ten drinks. Once back in the hotel room, he allegedly began hitting her over the head with the wine bottles after asking about another man, the documents said. He then allegedly began kneeing her in the abdomen and pushing her to the floor. Harviston also, according to the affidavit, strangled the victim to the point of making her pass out at least ten times.

According to the victim, Harviston has a history of domestic abuse in Seward County, Kan. but Haviston claimed that because the police in that county were his friends, they wouldn’t do anything.

Harviston then left the motel in a white truck while the victim called 911.

He now faces the felony charges of Kidnapping, Domestic Assault and Batter by Strangulation and Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon. Harviston is also charged with three mesdmeanors– Interference with Emergency Telephone Call, Malicious Injury to Property under $1000 and Threatening to Perform Acts of Violence.

Harviston sits in the Texas County Detention Center on an $85,000 bond. He could spend more than 35 years in jail if convicted.