Salinas Man Sentenced For Battering, Choking Girlfriend

SALINAS - A 28-year-old man was sentenced Tuesday in a Salinas courtroom to five years and eight months in prison for battering and choking his girlfriend and possessing guns as a felon, Monterey County prosecutors said Wednesday.

Antonio Rios of Salinas battered and choked his girlfriend on Sept. 27, 2014, and police then arrested him at his home where they found a shotgun and ammunition.

Rios is a felon and is not allowed to possess guns, prosecutors said.

On the day of sentencing, Rios did not go to court, but was found in a vehicle with a loaded gun.

For failing to come to court and for other offenses while he was waiting to be sentenced, he received an aggravated sentence, according to prosecutors.

-Bay City News, image via ShutterStock