4/17 – 12:23 a.m. – Police were dispatched to a domestic violence call on South Jefferson Street. Upon investigating, and with the assistance of the Smithton Police Department, a male suspect was taken into custody. Investigations continued throughout the day. On 4/18 the suspect was charged. Per the charging documents, the St. Clair County State’s Attorney’s Office charged the defendant, Michael S. Torres, age 37 of Millstadt with the following:
Count 1: Aggravated Domestic Battery (Strangulation): in that the defendant, in committing a domestic battery, strangled the victim, a family/household member of the defendant, in that the said defendant intentionally impeded the normal breathing/circulation of blood of the victim by applying pressure to the victim’s throat or neck with his hand. A Class 2 Criminal Felony, Category A Offense.
Count 2: Domestic Battery: in that the defendant made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with the victim, a family/household member of the defendant, in that he struck the victim about her head with a frying pan. A Class A Misdemeanor, Category A Offense.
Count 3: Domestic Battery: in that the defendant made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with the victim, a family/household member of the defendant, in that he grabbed the victim by a wig upon her head and pulled. A Class A Misdemeanor, Category A Offense.
Count 4: Domestic Battery: in that the defendant made physical contact of an insulting or provoking nature with the victim, a family/household member of the defendant, in that he struck the victim about her head with his hand. A Class A Misdemeanor, Category A Offense.
Bond was set at $65,000.
