FARMINGTON – A local man pleaded guilty to aggravated assault in Franklin County Superior Court today, receiving a four-year, partially-suspended sentence.
Arion Emery, 32, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, a Class B felony. As part of the arranged plea, felony charges of domestic violence assault and violating conditions of release were dismissed.
According to the arrest affidavit filed by Officer Darin Gilbert of the Farmington Police Department, police began investigating after receiving from the victim, who alleged she had been choked by Emery in January 2015. While the victim did not recall the precise date, Gilbert said, she related an incident in which Emery choked her with both hands “for about 10 seconds.” She told Gilbert that she became light headed and that her voice was altered for a few days after being choked.
Charges that related to an alleged punching incident were dismissed as part of the arranged plea. The aggravated assault complaint had originally included language which elevated the charge to a Class A felony due to prior convictions for domestic assault. As part of the plea, that language was struck, so Emery pleaded guilty to a Class B felony.
Emery received a four-year prison sentence, with all but 18 months suspended. He will be on probation for three years after his release, with conditions to include random search for drugs and alcohol, substance abuse and anger management counseling, and no contact with the named victim in the case.
I struggle to see how always making a plea deal works out for the best. Why don’t we make the punishment fit the crime? So many times the offender seems to get just a slap on the wrist and let go to repeat the offense over again. Like the guy who was arrested for sexual contact with a minor. $1000 bail. SERIOUSLY
Isn’t this individual a repeat offender? Three strikes your out isn’t at play here?
Diane,
You get what you elect. Want to get tough on crime dump the politicians you have now and get some that take a tougher stance on crime. It’s all about what we send to Augusta.
Maybe because we have a warped sense of that punishment fits what crime? We have locked so many people away that there is no longer room for them.