A 50-year-old Covington man was arrested in northern California after being accused of trying to suffocate a woman, authorities said.

Just before 1 a.m. Tuesday, officers with the Sonora Police Department responded to an assault call at a hotel, police said in a Facebook post. Sonora is located about 140 miles northeast of San Francisco.

Police arrested Jeffrey Keith Howard after learning he attempted to kill a woman “with whom he is associated,” the post said. Police did not say how the two know each other.

During an argument, Howard is accused of trying to suffocate the woman by wrapping a plastic bag over her face. He tried again by holding her down with a pillow over her head, police said. Howard is also accused of punching the woman in the mouth during the incident.

He was booked into the Tuolumne County, Calif., jail on an attempted murder charge. He remains in custody on a $500,000 bond, the Sonora Union Democrat reported.

In other news:

Secretary of State Mike Pompeo spoke during the 2020 Republican National Convention from Jerusalem Tuesday night.

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com