Man Charged For Attempted Strangulation of Former Girlfriend in West New York

Hudson TV has learned through sources that John M. Santos, 48 years old tomorrow, Tuesday, November 9, of the Bronx, is in custody after a complaint was filed with West New York Police.

Santos is accused in the criminal complaint of domestic violence and attempted strangulation by “KNOWINGLY OR UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES MANIFESTING EXTREME INDIFFERENCE TO THE VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE, RECKLESSLY OBSTRUCTED THE BREATHING OR BLOOD CIRCULATION OF A PERSON, WITH RESPECT TO THE ACTOR, MEETS THE DEFINITION OF A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, BY APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE THROAT OR NECK WITH HIS HANDS, THEREBY CAUSING, OR ATTEMPTING TO CAUSE BODILY INJURY, SPECIFICALLY BY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE NECK OF” the female victim by “CAUSING HER TO HAVE DIFFICULTY BREATHING, DURING THE COURSE OF A DOMESTIC DISPUTE.”  This is a second-degree crime.

The alleged incident took place “on or about October 25” in the apartment of the victim, identified as the ex-girlfriend of Santos.  The complaint further states that Santos “THREATEN TO KILL WITH THE PURPOSE TO PUT HER IN IMMINENT FEAR OF DEATH UNDER CIRCUMSTANCES REASONABLY CAUSING SAID VICTIM TO BELIEVE THE IMMEDIACY OF THE THREAT AND THE LIKELIHOOD THAT IT WOULD BE CARRIED OUT, SPECIFICALLY BY TELLING THE VICTIM, “I AM GOING TO KILL YOU” WHILE STRANGLING VICTIM, PLACING HER IN IMMINENT FEAR FOR HER LIFE. IN VIOLATION OF N.J.S. 2C:12-3B. A CRIME OF THE THIRD DEGREE.”

The female victim’s identity has not been made available to Hudson TV.   She told officers on the scene that she was suffering from pain in her neck area, but she refused on-scene treatment from EMS personnel.  The complaint says children were present at the time of the attempted strangulation.

Santos has been charged on two counts; aggravated assault and making terroristic threats.  He will appear in Central Judicial Processing Count in Jersey City on an undetermined date.