Scott Mason, 37, of Portland Street in St. Johnsbury, allegedly punched a pregnant woman

Scott Mason, 37, of Portland Street in St. Johnsbury, allegedly punched a pregnant woman in the face twice, causing pain. Mason pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of 2nd-degree aggravated domestic assault/prior conviction in Caledonia Superior Court on Tuesday. Judge Battles ordered Mason to be held without bail at the Northeast Correctional Complex in St. Johnsbury.  At approximately 8:21 p.m., Officer Johnson was notified of an alleged victim in the lobby of the St. Johnsbury Police Department. “I met her in the lobby and immediately noticed that she had a swollen and severely discolored black eye,” said Officer Johnson in his report. The alleged victim stated that Mason had been “all messed up on crack” on March 23, and at approximately 11 a.m., he had punched her in the face – twice – causing pain and a black eye. She said that her child was present when Mason punched her and that she was also pregnant. The alleged victim provided a sworn written statement which reads:  “He smashed me in the face in front of a 3-year-old…while in crack rage, while I’m pregnant,” “Because I wouldn’t give him the car keys.”said the alleged victim.  A check by Officer Johnson of Mason’s criminal record in Vermont shows a prior conviction of Domestic Assault and six prior felony convictions for aggravated assault, narcotic sale, accessory before the fact, aggravated assault and two counts of burglary. Mason is being charged as a repeat offender and could be sentenced up to life in prison.