“Another domestic abuse allegation surfaces in January 6 case: Matt Bledsoe asks court to remove his GPS ankle tether. Federal prosecutors respond that police were called on Bledsoe in 2014 for punching a pregnant woman and repeatedly kneeing her stomach (He wasn’t convicted)”

The victim alleged that he grabbed her by her throat, punched her in the face, and repeatedly kneed her in the stomach and thighs while she was eight months pregnant. In that case, the victim believed that he was drunk and/or high when he assaulted her. Though Bledsoe was not convicted in either case, the nature of the allegations are such that the government cannot agree to the removal of the GPS location-monitoring tether.

Domestic violence cases often involve a cycle of power and control that perpetuate abuse and prevent victims from pursuing charges, and these cases are frequently dismissed prior to conviction for that reason. The lack of a conviction here does not alleviate the government’s concern about Mr. Bledsoe’s police contacts.

“…and another call in 2020…”

For example, he has been arrested, but not convicted, for domestic assault in October 2020. The allegations were serious—he was accused of breaking down the door of a residence, throwing things, chasing the victim, picking up the victim by the throat, and slamming the victim to the floor in front of a minor child.

“This is at least the second January 6th defendant who was accused of assaulting a pregnant woman prior to the insurrection. Oh… and Bledsoe is asking the court to remove his tether device because he: 1) Owns a moving company 2) Is working a lot 3) Wants to wear shorts 4) Can’t wear shorts, because of ankle tether 5) Says it’s ‘hard’ to conceal ankle tether” – NBC News National Security reporter Scott MacFarlane, (edited and condensed for clarity/continuity).