JOSEPH Shane Duenas Aldan, 36, was arrested for assaulting his girlfriend.
He was charged with assault and battery, strangulation, and disturbing the peace.
On Friday afternoon he appeared before Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho in the custody of the Department of Corrections.
The judge imposed a $25,000 cash bail on the defendant who was represented by Assistant Public Defender Tyler Scott. Chief Prosecutor Chester Hinds appeared for the government.
After the hearing, Aldan was remanded to the custody of Corrections and was ordered to return to court on Jan. 13 at 10 a.m. for a preliminary hearing, and on Jan. 30 at 9 a.m. for an arraignment.
According the complaint and affidavit of probable cause filed by the police, Aldan’s girlfriend said she had been in an “on and off relationship” with Aldan and had been living with him at a B&B in Chalan Kanoa.
She said on Jan. 1, 2023, at about 4 p.m., she left the B&B after an argument with Aldan.
On Jan. 2, she said, she woke up at about 9:45 a.m. and saw that Aldan had sent her over 50 messages, including photos and videos on WhatsApp. He had also called her over 10 times.
She said Aldan, in one of his messages, threatened to kill himself with a razor blade if she did not respond.
He also sent photos and a video of himself with many cuts on his chest and neck.
She said the messages “freaked her out” so she went back to the B&B.
She said when she entered Aldan’s room it was completely dark, as the TV, window and lamp were covered.
Aldan then started accusing her of bringing somebody else into his room.
She said when she tried to leave, Aldan approached her from the front, and, with his left arm, elbowed her left chest which caused her to slam against the wall.
“Are you gonna go? Aldan asked.
When she tried to leave again, she said Aldan elbowed her again, slamming her against the wall.
She said Aldan then grabbed her and threw her to the floor. He stood behind her and used his arms to strangle her for about 10 seconds during which “she could see stars and could not breathe.”
She said she screamed for help, adding, “Stop, I can’t breathe!”
Aldan, while strangling her, shouted, “I’m done with you!”
She said she tried her best to get him off her by scratching and biting him.
When Aldan finally let her go, the victim ran outside and called for help.
