Deputy accused of stalking

The wife of a Douglas County sheriff's deputy charged with battery and driving under the influence claims that Jason Cypher began stalking her in July 2006, before the couple was married.

In a report to investigators following her 37-year-old husband's arrest early Sept. 14, the woman said he struck her numerous times and subjected her to physical and mental abuse.

Cypher, moved to Carson City Jail on $25,000 cash bail, has been charged with stalking, battery that constitutes domestic violence and driving under the influence.

He was arrested Sept. 14 at Ironwood Drive and Highway 395 in Minden after a witness reportedly observed him striking the victim.

The criminal complaint alleges he pulled her hair and punched her numerous times.

The stalking charge states that between July 2006 and September 2007, the defendant "terrorized, frightened and intimidated her" and would check her whereabouts.

Cypher's preliminary breath test for alcohol was .161, more than twice the legal limit for driving in Nevada, according to a Nevada Highway Patrol trooper who investigated the allegation of driving under the influence.

At Douglas County Jail, Cypher submitted to a blood draw which was sent to the Washoe County Crime Lab.

Cypher, who appeared before East Fork Judge Jim EnEarl on Monday, is set to return to court Wednesday for another hearing.

Cypher said he didn't want to continue Monday's proceeding because he did not have a lawyer. The 15-year veteran of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said his family was working on retaining counsel.

EnEarl told Cypher if he bails out, he must stay away from the alleged victim. The judge set a hearing for Wednesday morning at Cypher's request on details of a temporary restraining order obtained by the woman.

"I take no pleasure in this," EnEarl said as he read the charges against Cypher.

The judge lowered bail from $55,000 to $25,000 cash because pending felony charges were not filed by the Douglas County District Attorney's Office.

"I don't think it's fair to allow the bail to be stacked in light of the fact that felony charges were not filed at this time," EnEarl said.

Deputy District Attorney Tom Gregory said the Carson City District Attorney's Office would handle prosecution because Cypher is a sheriff's deputy and the Douglas office was "conflicted off" the case.

EnEarl said he knew the defendant and the victim but felt he could proceed without bias and would not recuse himself. Cypher said he did not feel EnEarl was biased.

"I don't know that you did any of this," EnEarl said. "All allegations must be proved by the state. Don't violate these terms and conditions should you bail out. You've been around this court long enough to know the consequences will be severe if you do."

If Cypher bails out, he will be placed on house arrest under the supervision of the Department of Alternative Sentencing.

Cypher asked for a hearing on the restraining order to know what he might be able to remove from the residence he shared with his wife or their joint accounts.

According to the sheriff's report, the Cyphers were returning from a house-warming party in Carson City when the incident occurred.

Another couple who attended the party with the Cyphers was driving behind them when they reportedly saw the victim on the roadway near highways 88 and 395.

She tried to lock herself into the witness's vehicle, but Cypher reportedly climbed through an open window, grabbed her hair and punched her on the side of her face while calling her names and accusing her of extramarital affairs, according to the sheriff's report.

The victim reportedly had a bump on her head and a black eye.

She told deputies that Cypher reportedly grabbed two cell phones from her as she tried to call for help.

He said she grabbed the car keys from the ignition and threw the keys and his off-duty revolver out the window. Deputies recovered both missing items.

Cypher is on paid leave from the sheriff's office pending results of criminal and administrative investigations.

If he is convicted of domestic battery, the deputy would lose his right to use or possess a firearm under federal law.