Gonzales Man Found Guilty of Domestic Violence and Dissuading a Witness

Salinas, California- Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on June 25 that

a jury found Jose Omar Soto Velasquez guilty of felony domestic violence and dissuading or

intimidating a witness.

Velasquez and Jane Doe had been dating approximately 1 year and lived together for several

months with Jane Doe’s 2 children.

On April 28, 2023, Jane Doe attempted to leave their apartment, but Velasquez grabbed her arm and

pulled her away from the door. Velasquez grabbed her neck and began to strangle Jane Doe while

holding her against the wall. Jane Doe retreated to her children’s room, where Velasquez followed

her and refused to let her leave for several hours. Jane Doe managed to get halfway out the door at

one point when Velasquez grabbed her arm and slammed the door shut against her body. Jane Doe

took photos of the significant bruising caused to her leg as a result. Once Jane Doe’s children got

home from school, she took them to stay with her family in another county.

On May 17, 2023, Velasquez again tried to grab Jane Doe’s neck. Fortunately, she was able to stop

Velasquez from strangling her and told him she would call police. Velasquez threatened to kill Jane

Doe if she called police for help.

On May 21, 2023, Velasquez changed the locks on their shared apartment while Jane Doe was

working her second job. When Jane Doe returned home late that night, she called police for help

getting into her home. She reported several prior instances of violence by Velasquez against her and

one of her children.

The case was investigated by Gonzales Police Officer Joshua Macias. Velasquez faces a maximum

of 5 years in state prison and will be sentenced by the Honorable Judge Hood on July 23, 2024.

Dissuading or intimidating a witness constitutes a “strike” under California’s Three Strikes Law.

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