Willow man indicted after alleged Valentine's Day assault

PALMER -- A Willow man was indicted Wednesday on assault charges, for allegedly beating a woman with a flashlight on Valentine's Day.

Ronald L. Hill, 41, was indicted on three counts of third-degree assault in connection with a Feb. 14 incident at his home. He was charged with one count of interfering with a domestic-violence report.

Alaska State Troopers were alerted to go to Hill's home after his girlfriend dialed 911 and left the phone off the hook.

Dispatchers reportedly heard a male voice yelling at someone crying in the home. A police dispatch tape played for the grand jury recorded the voices, the sounds of thumping as if someone were getting beaten and the man saying he was going to kill the other person, according to court documents.

When troopers arrived at the home that night, both people were reportedly gone. Troopers returned again in the morning to investigate the incident and arrested Hill.

His girlfriend was taken to Valley Hospital and treated for bruises on her chest, back and legs.

According to police reports, Hill became angry at his girlfriend over a missing $100 bill.

He said he had given it to her for safekeeping and she lost it. The pair had reportedly been drinking and he grew more upset about the missing money, believing she stole it, the woman told police.

He allegedly took a black Mag Lite, a club-like flashlight, and began hitting her with it.

The first two counts charge Hill with recklessly placing the woman in fear of serious physical injury.

The third count charges him for allegedly making a threat to kill her.