LIHUE — A Kalaheo man convicted in a violent altercation with an ex-girlfriend was sentenced to a year in jail Wednesday in 5th Circuit Court.
Jeffrey Ryan Lopez, 38, was given the sentence without probation. The maximum one-year sentence for a misdemeanor offense was applied to each charge of third-degree assault, first-degree unauthorized entry into a motor vehicle and second-degree terroristic threat.
Judge Kathleen Watanabe said the fact the defendant had successfully completed an alternatives to domestic violence court three times, yet still committing abusive acts, was a concern.
“If someone has gone through the alternatives to domestic violence program three times and still doesn’t get it, in my opinion, needs to be locked up,” Watanabe said.
County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Lisa Arin asked the court to sentence Lopez to the year in jail, noting that past probation and programs have not worked. The photos of the victim’s injuries speak louder than any words, she said.
Each of the three one-year sentences will run concurrently. The plea bargain included a second case involving four firearms charges that were not applied to the sentencing.
Court-appointed defense attorney Michael Soong said Lopez understood what he did was wrong, but added that certain circumstances contributed to the situation. Lopez had ended a volatile relationship with a women who was still pursuing him, Soong said. On Aug. 14, 2012, the victim came to the Lopez home and became argumentative when Lopez asked her to leave.
Pushing and shoving ensued and then Lopez struck the woman and caused injury. It was all over very quickly, Soong said. The victim remained in the home and did not leave until Lopez left for work the next day.
Soong asked the court to sentence Lopez from 90 days to six months with credit for time served.
Arin said Lopez has a criminal history stretching back to 1999. The offenses include domestic violence and an assault against another girlfriend in front of her 9-year-old child.
