Casper Man Sentenced For Assault, Strangulation
A Casper man will spend between six to 15 years behind bars for beating and strangling his girlfriend in October.
Natrona County District Court Judge Daniel Forgey handed down the sentence to Jeremiah Reyes during a hearing Wednesday.
In February, Reyes pleaded guilty to one charge of aggravated assault and one charge of domestic battery, and no contest to one charge of strangulation of a household member.
He was originally charged with kidnapping, but prosecutors dropped that charge.
The amended criminal information document listed two counts of aggravated assault, each punishable by up to 10 years imprisonment; three counts of strangulation of a household member, each punishable by up to five years imprisonment; and three misdemeanor counts of domestic violence, and one misdemeanor count of property destruction.
Because of previous felony convictions, Reyes could have received habitual criminal status if convicted of either or both of the aggravated assault charges. That could result in an enhanced penalties of between 10 and 50 years imprisonment.
But in the plea agreement, prosecutors agreed to not seek the habitual criminal status, and dismiss one aggravated assault count, two strangulation counts, and three misdemeanor counts.
Assistant District Attorney Trevor Schenk and public defender Kerri Johnson told Forgey they agreed Reyes should serve four to 10 years of imprisonment for the aggravated assault count, two to five years for the strangulation count, and six months for the domestic battery count. The prison terms for the aggravated assault and strangulation counts will be served consecutively. The domestic battery punishment will be served concurrently with the aggravated assault count.
They also agreed Reyes must pay $7,053.63 in restitution.
Johnson said Reyes has accepted responsibility. She also asked the judge for a substance abuse treatment program while he is in prison.
Forgey agreed with all the recommendations and handed down the sentence.
The case started on Oct. 13 when Casper Police officers responded to a report from a woman who said Reyes woke her and attacked her because of messages he found on her phone.
He repeatedly slammed her against a wall, punched her, prevented her from using a phone to call for help, threatened to kill her and her dogs, and then hang himself. Reyes also strangled her five times during the two-hour ordeal.
She escaped when he used the restroom.