A West Mansfield man allegedly hit his pregnant, live-in girlfriend following an argument about his alleged drunk driving.
Eric Gallegos, 31, of 34016 County Road 351, West Mansfield. Gallegos is charged with one count each of felonious assault and domestic violence.
According to court documents, on Jan 11, Gallegos and his girlfriend, who was 16 weeks pregnant at the time, began arguing. The girlfriend had allegedly confronted him about his drunk driving after he came home intoxicated and she found a beer can inside his vehicle.
“That’s when the physical assault began,” said Union County Prosecutor Dave Phillips. “He allegedly drug her outside and threw her around.”
He said the woman was wearing nightclothes, which offered little protection from the elements or the alleged abuse. He said there is some evidence that Gallegos allegedly attempted to strangle the woman.
Phillips said the woman’s three children witnessed the alleged assault and the oldest even attempted to step in and stop the violence.
Eventually the woman was able to call for help. The 911 dispatcher reported hearing wailing and screaming on the line before the call went dead.
Investigators believe Gallegos took the phone from the woman. Dispatchers tried repeatedly tried to call back, but got no answer. Deputies were dispatched to the location and Gallegos was arrested without additional incident, Phillips said.
He said the woman had cuts and bruises on a variety of areas of her body.
The prosecutor said that while domestic violence is often charged as a misdemeanor, the pregnancy changes things.
“Anytime there is a pregnant victim, a domestic violence is a felony,” Phillips said, adding that this victim was actually experiencing a high-risk pregnancy.
If convicted, Gallegos could face as many as eight years in prison.
Also indicted was:
– Codefendants Christopher Michael Jackson, 24, and Francisco Abel Sastre, 58, both of Louisville, Kentucky. Jackson and Sastre are each charged with one count of aggravated possession of drugs, stemming from a Sept. 1, arrest, involving methamphetamine.
If convicted, both men could each face as many as 12 months in prison.
– Robert Lee Culp II, 40, of Rushsylvania. Culp is charged with one count of aggravated possession of drugs. Culp was allegedly arrested with Oxycodone following an Aug. 16 incident. If convicted, Culp could face as many as 12 months in prison.
– Joseph M. Akoto, 23, of 2390 Northland Square Dr., Columbus. Akoto is charged with one count each of identity fraud and attempted theft. According to court documents, on Dec. 17, Akoto allegedly used another man’s identification in an attempt to steal five iPhones valued at nearly $4,000 total.
If convicted on both charges, Akoto could face as many as 24 months in prison.
-Shane Ray Phipps. 42, of 317 E. Franklin St., Apt. A., Kenton. Phipps is charged with one count of tampering with evidence and one count of possession of cocaine, stemming from a Dec. 19 incident. If convicted on both charges, Phipps could face as many as six years in prison.