Repeat domestic abuser sentenced to jail time

A 35-year-old man who broke into his ex-girlfriend’s home and assaulted her last month pleaded guilty in Taunton District Court last week to several charges connected to the incident and was sentenced to serve 18 months in jail, Bristol County District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III announced.

On October 28th at approximately 6:50 p.m., Dighton Police received a 911 call from a female, who stated she had found her ex-boyfriend, Carlos Chaves of Dighton, sleeping in her daughter’s bed. It was later determined the defendant had broken into the home through the basement. When the victim noticed the defendant in her daughter’s bed, she immediately went to the phone to call 911. Chaves, however, followed her, attempted to stop her from using the phone and slapped her in the face. The victim was able to get into her car and drove down the street before calling 911.

Dighton Police initially searched for Chaves, who has Fall River ties, but could not locate him. At that point, a Bristol County Sheriff’s K-9 Unit was called in to search the vicinity of the home. Chaves was quickly located hiding in a swampy area near the house where the incident occurred. The defendant was hiding behind a large boulder drinking a bottle of wine.

Chaves was scheduled to appear in Taunton District Court last Monday for a Dangerousness Hearing, but instead chose to plead guilty to charges of violating a restraining order, assault and a family or household member, breaking and entering into a building with the intent to commit a felony and intimidation of a witness.

Judge Juliann Hernon sentenced the defendant to serve 18 months in the Bristol County House of Corrections. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Cynthia Letourneau.

“I am pleased that this case was quickly resolved and the defendant was held accountable for his assaultive behavior against the victim. The defendant has a history of assaultive behavior against the victim and needs to be kept off of the street to protect her,” District Attorney Quinn said.