William Slingerland, 28, has pleaded not guilty to an aggravated assault charge

William Slingerland, 28, has pleaded not guilty to an aggravated assault charge and is being held on $5,000 bail following an alleged pistol-whipping incident in Newport. The victim sustained several head injuries and a broken nose in the assault, purportedly orchestrated with a pellet pistol at a residence on Bayview Street. According to law enforcement, the victim was encouraged to be attacked by the residence owner. After which, the victim was transported to the hospital by EMS for his injuries. If convicted, Slingerland could face up to 15 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He remains in pre-trial detention at Northern State Correctional Facility in Newport.