She Lost Consciousness For 1 Minute While This Joliet 24-Year-Old Strangled Her: Prosecutors Reveal

JOLIET, IL — A 24-year-old Joliet east side resident, Christian Garcia-Hernandez, must remain in the Will County Jail indefinitely under the SAFE-T-Act's dangerous standard, Will County Judge Dan Rippy ruled earlier this week. Garcia is accused of trying to strangle a woman he had been in a romantic relationship with, according to court files. Prosecutors are charging him with aggravated domestic battery and three counts of domestic battery.

Garcia has been abusive toward women in his recent past. He has a 2022 Will County conviction for the crime of aggravated domestic battery, prosecutors reminded the judge.

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This time around, on Monday, Joliet police responded to the 500 block of East Jackson and met with the female victim who told them how Garcia had physically abused her, court records indicate. She "advised that she was talking to defendant about their dating relationship and that she had been planning on splitting with defendant, however, (he) threatened to upload sensitive images of her on social media if they broke up," prosecutors advised Judge Rippy.

During the ensuing argument, Garcia tried to grab her phone and the altercation became physical as they struggled for control of her phone, court records noted. Garcia ultimately grabbed her by her neck and choked her, prosecutors pointed out. "She lost consciousness for approximately one minute while defendant strangled her ... defendant pushed her downwards" and struck the back of her head, court records indicated. She "advised she believed (Garcia) was trying to knock her out."

Joliet police saw significant redness around her face and neck, consistent with strangulation, prosecutors advised the judge. She also had a small bump to the back of her head.

Now that Judge Rippy has imposed the SAFE-T-Act against Garcia, there's no indication he will be released from the Will County Jail anytime soon. Jail logs indicate that Garcia comes from a portion of Joliet's east side known as The Hill, the 1400 block of Woodruff Road.