Court records: Man beat, restrained ex-girlfriend before she escaped, fled Las Cruces home
A Las Cruces man faces felony charges after a domestic violence incident. A sworn petition details allegations of assault and restraint.
Sworn petition alleges victim was punched, dragged by the hair and held against her will; defendant released with no-contact order
Organ Mountain News report
LAS CRUCES - A Las Cruces man is facing felony charges after court records allege he beat and restrained his ex-girlfriend during a domestic violence incident in March.
Fernando Elias Vasquez, 20, is charged with aggravated battery against a household member resulting in great bodily harm, battery against a household member, two counts of false imprisonment and criminal damage to property of a household member.
Court records state the alleged incident occurred March 29 in Doña Ana County. The charges were filed March 31.
According to a sworn petition for an order of protection, the woman — identified in court records as Vasquez’s ex-girlfriend — said the incident began during an argument after she returned to their shared residence.
The woman alleged Vasquez became angry, blocked her from leaving a room and began punching her in the face, head and body, causing her to bleed from her mouth and nose.
According to the petition, the woman said she was able to run outside, but Vasquez chased her, grabbed her by the hair, knocked her to the ground and dragged her.
She alleged she eventually escaped, got into her vehicle and attempted to leave. The petition states Vasquez approached the vehicle and shattered the driver’s side window before she was able to drive away.
The woman reported going to a gas station for help before seeking medical treatment for injuries, including multiple contusions and bruising.
The petition also describes a prior incident in November 2025 in which Vasquez allegedly pushed her onto a bed during an argument.
Court records state Vasquez later sent a text message apologizing, writing, “I am sorry for what I did.”
A criminal complaint filed in magistrate court alleges Vasquez caused great bodily harm and unlawfully restrained the woman during the incident.
Court records show Vasquez was arrested and later released on personal recognizance. A judge issued a no-contact order, and he was ordered to report to pretrial services.
A public safety assessment flagged the case as involving a violent offense but recommended the lowest level of pretrial supervision.
The case remains pending.
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