A Centralia man faces felony charges after he allegedly broke into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment with a credit card and assaulted her.
Freddy Casarrubias Ortega, 31, was arrested Monday night and booked into the Lewis County Jail. He made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Tuesday.
Casarrubias Ortega is charged with first-degree burglary, fourth-degree assault and third-degree malicious mischief, all considered domestic violence offenses.
First-degree burglary is punishable by up to life in prison.
Judge J. Andrew Toynbee set bail at $50,000 cash or bond, in agreement with the state’s request. Toynbee granted a no-contact order on behalf of the alleged victim, as well as an order for Casarrubias Ortega to surrender any firearms or dangerous weapons within his possession.
“Based on only the allegations that are presented today, I find that it’s necessary to prevent the defendant from seeking to intimidate witnesses or otherwise interfering with the administration of justice,” Toynbee said.
Defense attorney Rachael Tiller said Casarrubias Ortega works full time for a roofing company and has no criminal history.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office on Monday responded to a reported physical disturbance at a Centralia apartment complex.
A deputy first spoke with the victim’s family member who reported the incident, and then the victim.
According to the affidavit, the victim told the deputy that Casarrubias Ortega had “moved out of the apartment weeks ago when they broke up.”
On Monday, he allegedly returned and “used a credit card to defeat the lock.”
After entering without permission, Casarrubias Ortega allegedly began arguing with the victim and “ripped two cameras off the wall.”
The victim said Casarrubias Ortega injured her lip and scratched her neck.
“She stated that Casarrubias Ortega had chased her upstairs and grabbed her by the face and neck. He also pulled her hair,” the affidavit said.
The deputy reportedly saw “redness on her neck” and dried blood on her lip.
Following his arrest, Casarrubias Ortega allegedly admitted to having an argument and taking down the cameras but denied assaulting the victim.
He is scheduled for an arraignment on June 25.
