A 28-year-old Cheyenne man could face up to 15-and-a-half years in prison after allegedly beating and choking his pregnant girlfriend.

Court records say police were called to the Hitching Post Inn around 5:45 p.m. on Aug. 4 after John M. Ricketts reportedly got into a fight with his girlfriend about his drug usage and her sleeping throughout the day.

Police say Ricketts' girlfriend told them that Ricketts picked her up by her arms and threw her into the wall, dresser and onto the bed. He then allegedly got on top of her and began choking her while punching, slapping and head-butting her.

The woman reportedly told police that Ricketts' threw her and her stuff out of the room, so she walked to the lobby to use the phone. She stated Ricketts again approached her and started hitting her.

Multiple witnesses who saw the altercation near the lobby confirmed the woman's story.

Ricketts, who left the hotel before police showed up, was arrested the following afternoon near Logan Avenue and E. 19th Street.

He has been charged with aggravated assault and battery against a pregnant woman, strangulation of a household member-throat or neck and domestic battery-first offense.

Ricketts is currently being held in the Laramie County Jail on $10,000 cash bond. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 16 at 1:30 p.m.

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