A Marysville man could be facing nearly four decades in prison after allegedly attacking his girlfriend, choking her with a wire.
The Union County Grand Jury has indicted Isaac Luis Torres, 27, of 1449 Valley Drive, charging him with four counts of strangulation, four counts of domestic violence, four counts of violating a protection order, two counts of attempted strangulation, and one count each of abduction, intimidation of an attorney or witness in a criminal case, felonious assault and criminal damaging.
According to court documents, at about 11:39 a.m., April 9, police received a call from a woman. She told investigators that her friend texted her and asked her to call 911. The caller said the victim had also sent pictures of injuries she received as a result of a recent attack.
The woman sent police to the Valley Drive home.
Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips said that when police arrived, Torres met them and would not let them speak with the victim. He told them they needed to leave.
Eventually, police were able to speak with the victim who had multiple cuts and scratches on her face. She told police she and Torres have been dating and living together for two months. She said that over the course of several days, Torres attacked her “multiple times.”
According to court documents, during one physical altercation Torres took the cord of the victim’s hair straightener and wrapped it around the victim’s neck.
Torres “tried to strangle (the victim) by pulling two ends of the cord apart,” according to court documents.
“He allegedly threatened to harm her and family members of hers if she called police,” Phillips said.
Torres was placed under arrest for domestic violence and strangulation. He was taken to the Marysville Police Station to be processed. During that time, Torres would not give investigators his name, birthday, Social Security number or driver’s license number.
Eventually investigators were able to get the information from the victim.
Torres was booked and bond was set at $100,000. The victim was able to get a protection order meaning Torres can have no contact with her. While in jail, Torres allegedly contacted or tried to contact the woman repeatedly.
At his arraignment hearing, Torres called Assistant Union County Prosecutor Courtland Perry “an enemy of the state.” At the same hearing, Torres said he would be entering a “not guilty by reason of insanity” plea. In response to that plea, Torres’ mental status will be evaluated.
If convicted, Torres could face more than 37 years in prison.
Also indicted was:
– James L. Knowlton, 58, of 412 S. Main St. Knowlton is charged with seven counts of gross sexual imposition, three counts of rape and one count of aggravated menacing.
According to court documents, between July 2021 and the end of January 2022, Knowlton allegedly repeatedly engaged in sexual activity with a girl. Court documents indicate that sometimes Knowlton used force or the threat of force to compel the girl to have sex and sometimes he used alcohol to lower her awareness. The girl told investigators she believed Knowlton would hurt her or her property.
The indictment alleged that beginning in March of 2022, he began having sexual contact with another girl, using force or the threat of force to get her to submit.
Phillip said both of the victims were juveniles at the time. He said the victims knew Knowlton.
He said the girls did not tell anyone about what was happening while it was happening.
“Delayed reporting is not unusual and especially when you have young victims,” Phillips said.
Eventually the girls disclosed what was happening and police were contact.
If convicted on all charges, Knowlton could face as many as 41 years in prison.
– Tobias Johann Hilz, 40, of Bellefontaine. Hilz is charged with 16 counts of rape and one count each of strangulation and extortion.
Phillips said that Hilz and the victim had “a prior relationship.”
According to court documents, between June and mid-February, Hilz allegedly raped the woman repeatedly, often multiple times in the same day. Court documents allege the man used force or the threat of force.
He then took a different approach.
Court documents indicate that between Jan. 11 and Feb. 12, Hilz allegedly threatened the woman and threated to expose information to the public and to her work place.
“He kept threatening her, demanding both money, which she allegedly gave him, and also sexual acts,” Phillips said.
He said the sexual activity occurred in multiple locations.
Eventually the woman decided to come forward and she reported the incidents to officials at the Richwood Police Department.
If convicted, Hilz could face as more than 166 years in prison.