Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that a 33-year-old Coram man was indicted for Strangulation, Assault, and other related charges, for allegedly compressing his girlfriend’s airway with such force that he caused her serious physical injury in front of her 15-year-old child.
“Domestic violence causes deep and lasting harm,” said District Attorney Tierney. “My office is here to stand with survivors and take strong action against abusers. You are not alone. Please don’t hesitate to come forward.”
According to the investigation, on May 3, 2025, the defendant and his girlfriend got into an argument in a Holtsville hotel, where they had been staying for the night. During the argument, he allegedly punched the victim repeatedly in her head and body in front of her 15-year-old child who has developmental disabilities.
The District Attorney’s Office is not naming the defendant to protect the identity of the victims.
Over the course of approximately four hours into the early morning hours of May 4, 2025, the defendant also allegedly stabbed the victim in the arm with a pen and strangled her with such force that he allegedly fractured her hyoid bone – a small, U-shaped bone located in the neck that anchors various muscles that are involved in swallowing, speech, and tongue movement. Fractured hyoids are typically observed by medical professionals during autopsies, as the force associated with causing the broken bone often results in death. As a result of the alleged assault, the victim also sustained a laceration to her liver.
The alleged beating only stopped after guests in several neighboring rooms called the front desk and the police to report the noise that they heard coming from the defendant’s room. After responding officers allegedly observed the victim to have severe bruising and swelling all over her face, the defendant was placed under arrest. The victim was admitted to Stony Brook University Hospital, where she was treated for her injuries.
On June 4, 2025, the defendant was arraigned on the indictment before Acting Supreme Court Justice Steven A. Pilewski for:
One count of Strangulation in the First Degree, a Class C violent felony;
One count of Strangulation in the Second Degree, a Class D violent felony;
Two counts of Assault in the Second Degree, Class D violent felonies;
One count of Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent/Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree, a Class E felony;
One count of Assault in the Third Degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and
One count of Endangering the Welfare of a Child, a Class A misdemeanor.
Justice Pilewski ordered the defendant held on $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, or $2 million partially secured bond. His next court date is July 2, 2025. He is being represented by Christopher Gioe, Esq.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Kirsten Reilly of the Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Bureau and Rachel Baio of the Domestic Violence Unit. The investigation was conducted by members of the Suffolk County Police Department Sixth Precinct.