On July 1, 2009, the Honorable Judge Paul A. Vortmann imposed a prison sentence of four years on 30-year-old Ciprian Mendietta of Dinuba for inflicting injury on his girlfriend resulting in a traumatic condition. The defendant plead no contest to the charge on May 6, 2009.

On April 26, 2009, the defendant and the victim were in a verbal argument that turned physical. The defendant slapped the victim and then punched her multiple times in her arms, back, and head. The defendant then used the telephone cord to strike the victim in her legs and back.

On April 27, 2009, the defendant assaulted the victim again. He punched her in the legs, smothered her with a blanket and dragged her by her hair to another room in the residence.

The four year prison sentence was imposed after the defendant plead no contest to two felony counts of violating Penal Code section 273.5(a), inflicting injury on a cohabitant resulting in traumatic condition, and admitted special allegations under Penal Code section 667.5(b) for failure to remain free of prison custody for five years.

This case was prosecuted by DDA Erika Ziegenhorn, and investigated by Officer Bianca Montejano of Dinuba Police Department.

Contact Person: Assistant District Attorney, Shani Jenkins, (559) 733-6411.