The Secret Service agent in charge of the Denver office has been charged with two felony counts of second-degree assault in connection with an alleged domestic-violence incident involving his wife.
This morning in Douglas County District Court, Magistrate Grafton Biddle granted prosecutors’ request to drop a misdemeanor assault charge against Special Agent Lon Garner and instead file the two class IV felony counts, said Kathleen Walsh, spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office.
An arrest affidavit accuses Garner of trying to choke his wife in January at their Douglas County home after she confronted him about an alleged affair. His wife claimed Garner threatened to “eliminate” anyone who tried to ruin his career, court records said.
The wife never reported the incident until this fall.
Garner was arrested Nov. 19. A restraining order was issued ordering Garner to stay away from his wife.
The Secret Service has placed the head agent on administrative leave and its Office of Inspection is investigating.
Another hearing in the case is scheduled for Dec. 21.
