An Arizona man, Jesus Arturo Guerrero-Martinez, has been arrested and is facing multiple charges after allegedly strangling his girlfriend on several occasions, including once while she was able to call for help. Guerrero-Martinez, 30, has been charged with two counts of domestic violence aggravated assault, kidnapping, and aggravated assault with a simulated weapon.
Incident Details
The incident began when Guerrero-Martinez accused his girlfriend of attempting to break his laptop, according to an interim complaint obtained by local news outlets KOLD and KVOA. The woman had been using the laptop to watch a movie, but in an effort to avoid confrontation, she returned the device to him. Despite this, the altercation escalated.
As the two moved back to the living room, Guerrero-Martinez allegedly grabbed her by the throat and dragged her into the bedroom. Once inside, he reportedly threw her on the bed, got on top of her, and began strangling her a second time, using both his hands and his forearm.
Disturbing Turn: Witnessing Help
While being strangled, the woman managed to call her mother on FaceTime, and her mother saw the violence unfolding in real-time. The victim’s mother immediately drove to the apartment to help. Police later confirmed that the woman’s mother was able to witness the strangulation and intervene by calling for assistance.
Additional Allegations
The woman also reported that Guerrero-Martinez hit her in the face multiple times during the incident. After various efforts to break free, she eventually managed to escape the bedroom. However, as she fled, Guerrero-Martinez allegedly threatened her with a weapon, which he claimed was a gun. Upon further investigation, police discovered that the object was not a firearm, but a metal flashlight that had been used to simulate a gun.
Arrest and Court Appearance
Guerrero-Martinez was arrested on April 30, 2025, by members of the Tucson Police Department. He appeared in court later that same evening. During the hearing, a prosecutor claimed that Guerrero-Martinez had previously attempted to kill the victim and had repeatedly threatened her life. The prosecutor also stated that Guerrero-Martinez had strangled the victim on previous occasions.
In response, Guerrero-Martinez remained silent, allowing his attorney to speak on his behalf. He is currently being held at the Pima County Adult Detention Center on $150,000 bond.
Domestic Violence Concerns
This case sheds light on the serious issue of domestic violence, particularly the dangerous pattern of strangulation often linked to fatal outcomes in abusive relationships. The ongoing investigation and the charges against Guerrero-Martinez will hopefully bring justice for the victim.
Authorities are encouraging anyone experiencing domestic violence to seek help and report it immediately.
