Convicted Felon Accused of Choking Girlfriend – Pointing Gun

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August 18, 2020

By News Director Jared Atha

A Clinton man who has prior felony convictions, is accused of strangling his girlfriend and pointing a gun at her.

According to a probable cause affidavit, 25-year-old Santana Cruz Salas allegedly became upset with his girlfriend, pulled her out of a parked car and began to choke her. The girlfriend told police that she believed that this caused her to pass out. She said once she regained consciousness, Salas was standing above her pointing a handgun at her and proceeded to kick her in the abdomen with steel toe boots. The woman also told police that Salas had stated he would kill her during the assault.

The report stated that a records check on Salas confirmed that he is currently on probation for deferred sentences in Custer County for two felony cases.

Police obtained a search warrant and found two handguns at Salas’ residence. Salas was located in Roger Mills County where he was arrested and taken to the Clinton Police Department for questioning. The affidavit stated that Salas admitted to owning the firearms and said he knew he couldn’t legally possess the weapons due to his prior felony convictions. Salas however denied assaulting his girlfriend.

Salas was charged last week with domestic assault and battery by strangulation, possession of firearms after a conviction or during probation, and feloniously pointing a firearm.

A preliminary hearing for Salas is scheduled for September 25.