LOGAN — A 29-year-old Lewiston man appeared before a judge Monday, days after being arrested for allegedly attacking his partner in front of her children in 2024, leaving her with a fractured facial bone that required surgery, according to law enforcement.
Mariano Jr. Chavez-Gutierrez made an initial appearance Sept. 14 in Logan’s 1st District Court, appearing by web conference from the Cache County Jail. He was charged with one count of aggravated assault with serious injury, a first-degree felony, and two counts of committing domestic violence in the presence of a child, a third-degree felony.
According to court documents, the charges stem from an investigation into a domestic dispute that took place on Feb. 24, 2024. Prosecutors allege Chavez-Gutierrez became enraged when the victim expressed a desire to end their romantic relationship.
When the woman requested that Chavez-Gutierrez return her car keys, he allegedly threw the keys at her and slapped her across the face. Court records state he then grabbed the woman by her hair, violently shook her back and forth, threw her to the ground, and kicked her.
Investigators report Chavez-Gutierrez then lifted the woman off the ground and punched her directly in the face. Two of the victim’s young daughters were inside the room and witnessed the entire physical assault, according to evidence gathered by the Cache County Sheriff’s Office.
The woman later required surgery to repair a fractured orbital bone resulting from the blow to her face.
During Monday’s court appearance, Judge Angela Fonnesbeck agreed to release Chavez-Gutierrez on a signature bond after she said there was no evidence to suggest the suspect posed a current threat to the alleged victim. She assigned him a public defender and ordered him to have no contact with the woman while the case proceeds through the court.
Individuals arrested and charged in complaints are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.