A Quilcene man entered a pleading of “not guilty” to second-degree domestic violence strangulation at his arraignment Friday in Jefferson County Superior Court.

Jason Michael Pratt, 46, was arrested just after 3 a.m. Monday, Sept. 5 after deputies were called to a rural property near US Highway 101 in Quilcene.

A woman told dispatchers her brother-in-law was under the influence and had been making threats.

Deputies were told people had been on the property drinking when Pratt, who was up in a treehouse, climbed down from the tree fort and confronted his brother, who had been standing by a fire.

Pratt allegedly came up from behind his brother and put him in a headlock, then took him to the ground and choked him until he went limp, according to court documents.

Pratt told deputies that his brother had been making threats to assault him and also had made vulgar comments, but he later said his brother had not tried to assault him. Pratt said his intentions were to make his brother leave the property or make him go sleep in his tent, according to a statement of probable cause for Pratt’s arrest.

The brother was taken by an aid unit to the hospital.

Following Pratt’s arraignment Friday, his future court appearances were scheduled.

Judge Keith Harper set Pratt’s trial to start on Dec. 5.

Pratt made his preliminary appearance on the felony charge Sept. 6. He was released on his personal recognizance.

Conviction of second-degree assault can result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.