The Willacy County Sheriff’s Office has announced that a man has been arrested for strangling his wife. WCSO deputies responded to a home on Business 77 in Sebastian, Texas on December 18, 2023 regarding an assault. At the scene, a female victim informed deputies that her common-law spouse, Juan Carlos Perez, had assaulted her while they were in the shed looking for a dog kennel.

Authorities say the victim reported that Perez used his left hand to squeeze her throat with force interfering with her ability to breathe or yell. The victim also reported that Perez pushed her to the ground and kicked the right side of her calf. Perez allegedly kept her pinned on the ground until the victim’s mother found them and asked what was going on.

The victim informed deputies that Perez left on foot and was armed with a knife. Deputies saw injuries on the victim consistent with strangulation. Deputies followed up at a residence on 6th Street and East Street where they found Perez hiding inside a shed. WCSO claimed Perez refused to step out and was holding an unknown object behind his back. At one point, Perez allegedly made comments expressing that he wanted deputies to end his life.

Eventually, he complied with deputies and surrendered. He is facing charges of Assault Family Violence – Impede Breath/Circulation and Assault Causes Bodily Injury – Family Violence.