Police Release Report on Domestic Assault

On June 7, 2012 the Newport Police Department officers were dispatched to West Evans St. for a report of a domestic assault. When officers arrived, they found a 28-year old Newport woman, who alleges she was assaulted by her former boyfriend identified as Joshua Montanez, age 27 of 17 Ranger Rd., Newport.

The victim fled her home after the assault and went to the home of a neighbor for help, leaving Montanez in her home with her five children sleeping in their upstairs bedrooms. Officers responded to the victim’s residence and located Montanez who had barricaded himself inside the residence. Officers started a dialog through the closed door, and later by telephone with Montanez, who told officers he was armed with a gun and knives.

Montanez made threats to shoot any officers if they entered the residence. Montanez refused officer’s requests to exit the home. The Newport Police Department’s Special Response Team (SRT) was activated, all on duty Newport officers reported to the scene.

After several hours of negotiations, an entry team entered the home locating Montanez, who resisted efforts to take him into custody and was neutralized with a tazer round. The five children in the home were unharmed and reunited with their mother on the scene.

At approximately 3:13 a.m., the scene was declared safe. The tactical operation was ceased and normal police operations resumed. During the incident both Middletown Police and the Rhode Island State Police were on standby to assist in any Newport Police service requests.

Montanez was charged with domestic simple assault and resisting arrest. Three knives were seized at the residence and no firearm was located. The investigation is continuing.