An Arizona man has been arrested after allegedly strangling his girlfriend multiple times, including once while being watched by her mother. Jesus Arturo Guerrero-Martinez, 30, faces charges of domestic violence aggravated assault, kidnapping, and aggravated assault with a simulated weapon, according to the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
Incident Begins Over Laptop Dispute
The situation reportedly began on April 30, when Guerrero-Martinez accused his girlfriend of trying to break his laptop. While the woman had briefly taken the laptop to watch a movie, she returned it to avoid a confrontation. Despite this, the argument escalated, leading to a violent altercation.
Strangulation and FaceTime Call to Mother
During the confrontation, Guerrero-Martinez allegedly grabbed his girlfriend by the throat and dragged her into the bedroom. Once inside, he threw her on the bed and began strangling her a second time using his hands and forearm.
At some point, the woman managed to call her mother on FaceTime. Her mother witnessed the strangulation on the screen and immediately drove to the apartment.
Threat with Simulated Gun and Previous Alleged Abuse
The victim also claimed Guerrero-Martinez hit her multiple times in the face. After numerous attempts to break free, the woman managed to escape the bedroom. However, Guerrero-Martinez allegedly pulled out a metal flashlight, which he threatened to use as a gun. Police later confirmed that the object was not a firearm, but a flashlight resembling one.
Authorities also allege that Guerrero-Martinez had a history of abuse, including previous incidents where he attempted to kill the victim, made threats to kill her, and strangled her on prior occasions.
Defendant Remains in Jail on $150,000 Bond
Guerrero-Martinez was arrested and detained at the Pima County Adult Detention Center on a $150,000 bond. In court, the prosecutor emphasized the defendant’s prior violent history with the victim, while Guerrero-Martinez remained silent, with his attorney speaking on his behalf.
