A convicted felon who assaulted and held a woman against her will in Blythe was bound for state prison Friday to serve a sentence of five years, four months behind bars after pleading guilty to felony charges.
Arturo Salcido Aguilar, 48, on Thursday admitted one count each of false imprisonment and making criminal threats under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. In exchange for his admissions, prosecutors dismissed two related charges against Aguilar.
During a pretrial hearing at the Larson Justice Center in Indio, Superior Court Judge Kristi Hester certified the terms of the plea deal and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.
According to sheriff’s Sgt. Jose Munoz, on the afternoon of last April 1, patrol deputies were called to a residence in the 7500 block of Highway 95 regarding an assault on a woman, whose identity was not disclosed.
“The victim reported being strangled and was prevented from leaving the residence to seek help,” Munoz said.
The woman was treated for non-life-threatening injuries at a regional trauma center and has since recovered.
Based on the victim’s statements, detectives said they determined that Aguilar was the perpetrator, and they initiated a countywide search for him.
Munoz said that the following night, the sheriff’s Special Enforcement Team tracked the defendant to the 400 block of Chanslor Way in Blythe, where a traffic enforcement stop was conducted and he was taken into custody without incident.
Information regarding the relationship between the defendant and victim, if any, was not disclosed, nor were any other details connected with the attack.
Court records show Aguilar had documented prior convictions for burglary, receiving stolen property and felony evading.