Former lawmaker’s estranged husband indicted

The estranged husband of former state Sen. Elizabeth Halseth was indicted Friday on three charges stemming from an October 2011 incident with her.

A grand jury indicted Daniel Halseth on two felony counts, coercion and battery, and one misdemeanor count of open and gross lewdness

Daniel Halseth was arrested in October by Las Vegas police who went to the couple’s home to check on the Republican lawmaker’s welfare when her mother was unable to reach her, according to an arrest report.

Elizabeth Halseth previously had told her mother that her husband, whom she described as becoming controlling, had taken her phone, purse and car keys.

Police were trying to break into the Halseths’ house in the southwest valley when the couple arrived home from church, where they had gone for counseling.

Halseth told police that five days earlier her husband, in an act of jealousy, had touched her against her will. Daniel Halseth told police he had been trying to scare his wife to get her attention.

Both agreed the incident ended when he said it was a joke.

Daniel Halseth later filed for divorce, and she resigned from her Senate seat.

Contact reporter Francis McCabe at fmccabe@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-1039.