BENNINGTON – Max Misch of Bennington was sentenced Monday to a 3- to 5-year prison term, with all but six months suspended, on a charge of felony aggravated domestic assault.
The sentence was part of a plea agreement reached with the prosecution when Misch pleaded guilty in November to the single felony count, which stemmed from a domestic dispute in August.
Misch had admitted to striking the female victim with the back of his hand from the passenger seat of their vehicle, after the victim, who was allegedly drinking, dared him to.
He pleaded guilty to the single felony count of aggravated domestic assault with a prior conviction in exchange for the dismissal of other charges.
Judge David Fenster presided at the sentencing hearing, during which he accepted the plea agreement and Misch confirmed he had agreed to the terms.
The agreement also includes conditions for Misch upon his release. Those are a requirement to submit to screenings for domestic violence, including possible treatment if applicable; having no contact with the victim; electronic monitoring, and to not possess any deadly weapons, including firearms.
Misch, who appeared in Bennington Superior Court Criminal Division remotely, declined to add any comment after the judge had reiterated terms of the plea agreement.
Arrested on Pleasant Street
After his arrest on Pleasant Street in Bennington, Misch was charged with four felony counts, including kidnapping, aggravated domestic assault with a prior conviction, unlawful restraint, and sexual assault.
He was also charged with a single misdemeanor count of interference with access to emergency services.
According to a police affidavit in the case, police were called to Pleasant Street after a report of fighting. Upon arrival, police located a female getting into a red sedan with a young child in the back seat.
Misch was reportedly standing on the sidewalk across the street with an apparent injury to his hand. After refusing to answer police questions, he was arrested.
It was determined during an investigation that Misch had hit the female inside the car. According to the victim, Misch struck her because he was angry about a delay in an order of food.
Misch, at his change of plea hearing, claimed that the victim was drunk during the incident and provoked him into striking her. As part of the plea deal, he admitted to slapping her across the face with the back of his hand.