GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY, MI – A Traverse City man is accused of trying to strangle his girlfriend because she did not like him going to strip clubs, authorities said Thursday, April 24.

Sean Jones, 30, has been charged with attempted murder and assault by strangulation, Grand Traverse County Prosecutor Bob Cooney said.

"The allegation is that he was strangling her in an attempt to kill her,” Cooney told The Grand Rapids Press/MLive.com.

He said that Jones allegedly tried to kill her because of “her not wanting him to go to strip clubs.”

Cooney said it was unclear what club Jones allegedly frequented, but he said there are no strip clubs in Grand Traverse County.

The alleged assault occurred on April 15.

Jones was allegedly trying to strangle his girlfriend when a neighbor heard a disturbance and the woman’s screams. Traverse City police responded to the alleged assault.

Jones was originally arraigned April 17 on a charge of assault with intent to do great-bodily harm but prosecutors on Wednesday, April 23, upgraded the charge to attempted murder, a potential life offense.

The woman has bruises and marks on her neck consistent with an attempted strangling but is not believed to have permanent physical injuries.

Jones, who requested a court-appointed attorney, is held on $500,000 bond.

If he happened to post bond, he would have to undergo twice daily breath tests for alcohol and regular drug tests. He could not frequent bars, strip clubs or places with adult entertainment.

He also cannot have any contact with the victim. They had dated for eight or nine months.

John Agar covers crime for MLive/Grand Rapids Press E-mail John Agar: jagar@mlive.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/ReporterJAgar