Juan Gallegos makes an appearance in Lewis County Superior Court in February, 2019.
A Chehalis man was sentenced to 29 months in prison after he pleaded guilty in two assault cases: Of attacking a woman — squeezing her neck to the point she couldn’t breathe — and assaulting a man — breaking a bone and causing other injuries.
Juan J. Gallegos, 28, pleaded guilty to second-degree assault — domestic violence, second-degree assault and third-degree assault. An additional count of second-degree assault was dismissed.
Gallegos’ attorney, Shane O’Rourke, said his guilty plea in the first case — the one where he was accused of attacking the woman — was an Alford plea, meaning that rather than admitting guilt, he admits a judge or jury would likely find him guilty given evidence against him.
Based on an agreement between O’Rourke and Deputy prosecutor Paul Masiello, he was sentenced to 29 months for both counts of second-degree assault and 16 months for the single count of third-degree assault. Each of the sentences are to run concurrently. He has 54 days credit for time already served.
He’ll additionally serve 18 months on community custody, and pay a $500 victim assessment fee.
He was ordered to refrain from making contact with either of the victims for a 10-year period.
During a brief address to Judge James Lawler, Gallegos said he wanted to apologize to anyone he hurt.
Gallegos has been held in the Lewis County Jail since Feb. 2 after being accused of, the night prior, attacking a woman at his Chehalis home by kicking her in the hip and ribs. He then squeezed her neck until she couldn’t breathe, according to court documents. The next day, Gallegos called the woman and made threatening comments, documents state.
On Jan. 26, two men came forward, saying Gallegos attacked them on Jan. 19. Gallegos was accused of twice rushing at a man, trying to attack him while he was hired to do work on the man’s house. The other man, who was working with Gallegos, stood in the way and was struck multiple times. A bone in the man’s face was broken, and he said Gallegos began to strangle him until he couldn’t breathe.
He also was accused of picking up a speaker and throwing it on the man’s leg, causing further injury.
