WORTHINGTON — Silmar Abraham Martin Lopez, 21, of Worthington, is charged in Nobles County Fifth District Court with felony-level domestic assault by strangulation, along with one count of misdemeanor domestic assault for inflicting harm on a family member.
The charges stem from an incident shortly after midnight on March 12, when Worthington Police officers responded to a reported assault at a Clary Street residence.
Upon arrival, officers found Lopez outside. Lopez said he was in an argument with someone inside the home, and reportedly admitted that what he did was wrong.
Lopez said the victim hit him on the face and neck, and he subsequently reacted by pushing the victim on the couch. The victim then reportedly hit Lopez with a toy and threatened to call police if he did not leave.
The officer then spoke with the victim, who reportedly stated that Lopez had pushed her to the floor, put his hands around her neck and choked her, making it difficult to breathe. The victim also stated that Lopez struck her on the left eye. The officer observed marks on the victim’s left eye, a left wrist that was swollen, and red marks on the victim’s neck.
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Lopez was taken into custody at the scene. He is set to appear in court on March 28.
If convicted, Lopez faces a maximum three years imprisonment and/or a $5,000 fine on the strangulation charge, and up to 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine on the charge of bodily harm.
