Suspect in Violent Vernon Choking Incident Nabbed in Manchester

MANCHESTER/VERNON, CT — A Vernon man was picked up in Manchester on Monday and arrested on five domestic violence charges less than a month after a protective order expired for the woman he is accused of holding down and choking, an arrest warrant indicates.

Justin Richards, 34, was arrested on Monday evening in Manchester, transported to Vernon and charged with first-degree unlawful restraint, second-degree strangulation, second-degree threatening, third-degree assault and second-degree breach of peace, according to an arrest report. He was held overnight on a $75,000 bond and was to appear in court Tuesday, police said.

Richards had been living with the woman who had the order against him at the Sleeping Giant Apartments and they had a 13-year relationship, according to a warrant.

The woman told police that, on the night of Oct. 16, Richards began acting "irrationally" and was "intoxicated," according to a warrant. The woman's children were asleep in the apartment and Richards began "trying to buy drugs," according to a warrant.

The woman tried to talk him out of it, and Richards then allegedly became angry ands started to choke her while pinning her to the ground, according to a warrant. The woman told police she was coughing up blood and had some hair pulled out, a warrant indicates

Her injuries were still noticeable to police the following day, according to a warrant.

The protective order expired on Sept. 25, records show. Richards had a March breach of peace case nolled at court that day, records show.

Photo Credit: VPD

To sign up for Vernon breaking news alerts and more, click here.