Joshua Aaron Stahl, 22, was sentenced Monday in Houghton County 12th Circuit Court to a minimum of 23 months in a Michigan Department of Corrections facility for domestic assault, his third domestic violence offense.
Stahl was arrested April 15 after the victim contacted the Laurium Police Department to report an incident that occurred days earlier. According to the police report, Stahl assaulted his partner inside a residence where his son and daughter were present.
The victim reported two red marks on their upper cheek from being struck. The victim also stated Stahl became verbally abusive during the incident, threatening further physical harm and saying, “I could kill you.”
When police contacted Stahl at his Laurium home, he denied any physical altercation occurred and was arrested.
A witness living with Stahl provided additional details, reporting they woke April 11 to an altercation between Stahl and the victim in their bedroom. The witness removed Stahl’s child to a nearby restaurant to shield the child from the conflict.
“While the home seemed to have calmed since the morning, the witness did note the victim was attempting to hide a mark on their face,” according to the police report.
The witness told police: “Josh needs help, and jail is the place for him right now and maybe he can get the help he needs.”
The court set Stahl’s maximum sentence at 5 years. He has been credited with 83 days already served.
The case highlights the serious consequences of repeated domestic violence offenses in Michigan. Habitual offender designations result in enhanced sentencing, reflecting the state’s commitment to protecting victims and holding repeat offenders accountable.
Stahl’s conviction underscores the dangers domestic violence poses to families and the importance of reporting incidents to law enforcement.
