New York Man Charged with Strangling Eagan Woman During Domestic Assault

A Bronx, N.Y., man has been charged with domestic assault by strangulation after authorities say he slapped an Eagan woman and covered her nose and mouth to keep her from yelling during an altercation last weekend.

Jason Ortiz, 24, is charged with felony domestic assault by strangulation, which carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $5,000 fine. He is also charged with interfering with a 911 call, a gross misdemeanor, and misdemeanor domestic assault.

According to the criminal complaint, Eagan police received a call from a 13-year-old girl who said her aunt and Ortiz were involved in a physical argument, and that Ortiz was hitting her aunt.

The police dispatcher said Ortiz apparently had grabbed the phone and hung up while the niece was reporting the disturbance.

When police arrived, the victim, her niece and her 8-year-old daughter were outside, and the victim told police that Ortiz was still inside the apartment.

The victim said Ortiz had locked her in the bedroom, pushed her down on the bed and covered her mouth and noise to prevent her from yelling or breathing.

When the victim was able to get off the bed and out of the bedroom, she grabbed her daughter and niece and fled the building, she said.

Ortiz, who was arrested Saturday, is free on $40,000 bond. An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled Aug. 29 in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.