A Ventura County man was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the violent assault and kidnapping of his girlfriend.
Salvador Pena Martinez, 44, was convicted of the crimes on July 21, the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office announced.
On May 17, 2020, Martinez attacked his girlfriend during an argument about her cell phone. He punched her repeatedly, pulled her by the hair, hit her with a cell phone, choked her until she passed out and pinned her down with his knees, court documents said.
Martinez then forced her into his truck and continued assaulting her while driving. When they arrived at his cousin’s house in Port Hueneme, the woman managed to escape and screamed for help, saying Martinez was going to kill her.
The man’s family called the police, but Martinez fled the scene before officers arrived. The woman was taken to the hospital with a concussion, facial bruising and head wounds that required staples.
On May 20, 2020, a fire was ignited at the woman’s Oxnard home. Investigators found a gas can at the scene and surveillance footage showed a white pickup truck, similar to Martinez’s, driving in the area at the time.
Three days later, Martinez was located and arrested for the domestic violence assault. However, he was released on bail five days later.
On June 4, police spotted him driving and tried to pull him over in connection with the arson case. Martinez refused to stop and led officers on a dangerous pursuit through Oxnard. During the chase, he ditched the moving truck and fled on foot.
Officers ran after him and after resisting arrest and pinning an officer’s arm, he was taken into custody. A loaded semi-automatic handgun was also found in his truck.
On April 21, Martinez pled guilty to inflicting corporal injury, kidnapping, criminal threats, arson of an inhabited structure, evading an officer, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. He also admitted to dozens of special allegations, including that the crimes caused great bodily injury, that the victim was vulnerable, and prior strikes.
On July 21, he was sentenced to 25 years and four months in prison for the crimes.
“While the physical and emotional scars of such a brutal attack may linger, we commend the immense resilience and courage demonstrated by the victim and her family throughout this harrowing ordeal,” said Rikole Kelly, a Ventura County district attorney who prosecuted the case. “With the resolution of this case, we hope they can now begin the process of healing and rebuilding their lives free from fear.”