St. Croix man arrested after wife reports domestic violence assault

Wayne Gonzales of Frederiksted has been charged with domestic violence offences stemming from an altercation at his home on October 8, according to police records.

Gonzales was taken into custody on October 9 after his wife called 911 the previous evening. Officers who arrived at the residence found the woman secured inside and unsure if her husband remained on the property. Once they confirmed he had departed, they arranged for her transport to hospital by ambulance.

During her hospital evaluation, the woman described the sequence of events to investigators. The dispute began while she was seated on the couch having dinner. When her husband sneezed in the kitchen, she asked him to step outside before doing so. Her account indicates this request provoked him to approach her, stand over her and issue death threats.

When she rose and told him to move away, he began hitting her repeatedly across her body, she told police. She warned him that she would contact authorities if he struck her again, but he hit her once more. The two then engaged in a physical struggle that shifted to the couch.

While positioned above her on the couch, Gonzales seized her neck and applied pressure that impeded her breathing, according to her statement. She managed to escape his grip and wrapped her arm around his neck, but he continued to punch her near the eye while repeating threats to end her life. She consented to release him only after he ceased striking her. After she loosened her hold, he left the house and she locked the door before dialling 911.

The woman also disclosed to investigators that prior assaults by her husband had occurred. She attributed his escalating aggression to health complications from multiple strokes, noting that his conduct deteriorated when he neglected to take prescribed medication.

Police found Gonzales at a relative's home on Friday and arrested him. He maintained that no confrontation had taken place.

He faces charges of second-degree assault, simple assault and battery, and disturbing the peace by fighting, all classified as domestic violence crimes. On October 12, Gonzales appeared before Magistrate Judge Christopher Timmons for an advice-of-rights hearing. His arraignment is set for November 23. Details regarding bail and release conditions had not been disclosed at the time of reporting.