28-year-old transient man accused of throwing underage female to the sidewalk

A local transient man was arrested after shoving a young woman and throwing her onto the sidewalk at about 12:30 p.m. on June 3.

Lacey police were dispatched last Thursday to the 1200 block of Sleater-Kinney Rd SE after a young man attempted to intervene as Joshua Keller, 28, allegedly kicked the young woman, while holding a beer bottle in his hand. The police reported that the alleged victim is under age 18.

Upon contact with Keller, Lacey Police requested that Keller turn away and get onto his knees before Keller attempted to comply. Keller broke his beer bottle on the ground and did not comply with de-escalation attempts, according to the police.

After two additional officers arrived they were able to handcuff Keller.  Police say they noticed several open scabs on Keller’s left forearm, with one opened up, bleeding, so Lacey Fire was called to treat him.

The underaged victim told Lacey Police that she and Keller had met at an inpatient facility, dated and had a sexual relationship. She said she noticed Keller on the street and that he yelled at her and called her “a whore.”  The alleged victim said that Keller pushed her backward hitting her head, grabbed her by the neck, yanked her from side to side and then began throwing things at her as cars passing by.

Keller was booked into Nisqually Jail for assault, interfering with the reporting of domestic violence and obstructing a law enforcement officer.

Washington law states that it a class C felony, sexual misconduct with a minor in the first degree, for an individual more than 60 months older to have sexual intercourse with a person age at least 16 and under 18.