Modesto man convicted of domestic-violence assault, sentenced to 19 years
A judge sentenced Modesto resident Kenneth Robert Powell to 19 years in prison for assaulting and inflicting great bodily injury on his former girlfriend, the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office announced Monday.
Powell, 38, was convicted Oct. 12 of strangling and tackling his girlfriend of one year on the night of July 1, 2019, the office said in a press release.
The woman woke up that night and realized Powell was not in bed, so she asked him what he was doing in the living room. Powell shouted and cursed at her, prompting her to ask him to leave, the release said. Powell then tackled her, threw her to the floor and choked her until she lost consciousness.
When she woke up, the release said, Powell choked her again. She eventually was able to call 911, and Powell ran before police arrived. Her injuries included facial swelling and bleeding, arm bruises and leg scrapes.
Deputy District Attorney Melissa Chichportich prosecuted the case after Powell’s arrest. Powell admitted inflicting great bodily injury on his former girlfriend, and has a 2015 domestic violence conviction in Sacramento County, the office said.
Powell also was convicted of arson in 2009 in El Dorado County, which Judge Ricardo Cordova used to increase the sentence to 19 years in state prison.
This story was originally published November 4, 2021 at 5:00 AM.
