Joaquin Adriano Jr. is escorted by a Corrections officer to a bail hearing on Monday morning.
Photo by Bryan Manabat
A HEAVY equipment operator, Joaquin Adriano Jr., is being accused of punching his girlfriend multiple times during an incident in Tinian on July 17, 2025.
Adriano, 42, has been charged with assault and battery (including domestic violence) and disturbing the peace.
He appeared before Superior Court Judge Joseph N. Camacho on Monday for a bail hearing, during which the judge imposed a $10,000 cash bail.
Assistant Public Defender Molly Dennert, who represented Adriano, verbally requested that her client be released to his daughter as a third-party custodian. The daughter was present in the courtroom.
Assistant Attorney General Heather Barcinas, who appeared on behalf of the government, opposed the request, citing the defendant’s prior criminal history and the severity of the victim’s injuries.
Judge Camacho directed the defense to file a formal bail modification motion. A hearing will be scheduled once the motion is filed.
Following the hearing, the judge remanded Adriano to the custody of the Department of Corrections and ordered him to return to court for a preliminary hearing on July 30 at 10 a.m., and for arraignment on Aug. 11 at 9 a.m.
The complaint
According to the criminal complaint, the victim told police that she had been drinking with her sister and friends until the early morning of July 17. She said Adriano had called her earlier, asking her to come to his residence once she was done.
The victim said she arrived at around 3 a.m., when an argument began in the living room. According to her, Adriano was upset that she had not come earlier when he first called.
During the argument, she said Adriano pushed her in the chest, causing her to fall to the ground. As she fell, he also struck a lamp, which shattered near her, according to the police report.
The victim said Adriano then kneeled beside her and punched her in the face three to four times with a closed fist. She cried out and shouted before Adriano stood up.
She also told police that she sustained several cuts on her leg from the broken glass. As she tried to get up, she said Adriano hugged her tightly and told her he would not let her leave, believing she would go straight to the police.
Fearing further harm, the victim said she tried to calm Adriano by assuring him she would not report the incident. A few hours later, once Adriano had calmed down, she left the residence and went to the police station.
The investigator noted that the victim had visible redness, swelling, and bruising on her face, as well as lacerations on her left leg.
She also told police that this was not the first time Adriano had physically assaulted her.
