Moses Lake man charged in brutal assault

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man is facing an assault charge for allegedly assaulting a man and causing facial and internal injuries.

Grant County prosecutors charged Cristo Flores, 22, of Moses Lake, in Grant County Superior Court with second-degree assault-substantial bodily harm.

On Feb. 16 the Moses Lake Police Department responded to a report of threats being made in the 1800 block of West Crouse Street. Police were advised a male was at a residence in the area and made threats to stab people, according to court documents. Police responded to the residence and located a man who had reportedly been assaulted. The victim was bleeding from an apparent broken nose and had visible bruising/swelling to his right eye when police arrived.

Police were told an unknown Hispanic male, alleged to be Flores, knocked on the door of the residence and asked to speak with the victim. When the victim went to the door Flores allegedly demanded the man’s money, driver’s license and started to punch him in the face. Witnesses later claimed the suspect was the victim’s niece's boyfriend.

The victim received medical treatment and had to have metal plates inserted into his face due to his injuries. In addition, he reportedly suffered internal bleeding and had “significant” damage done to his right eye. The victim said Flores entered his residence, but he did not steal anything and eventually left after the assault. The victim’s story was similar to the statement given to police by witnesses of the assault.

Flores and his girlfriend were later located and detained during a traffic stop in Moses Lake. Flores’ girlfriend initially said she and Flores were out of town when the assault occurred. She later admitted she knew the victim was assaulted, but she said the victim “deserved” it and “deserved more for what he has done to her but that she did not know who assaulted (the victim).”

The woman’s mother went on to allege the assault victim sexually abused her daughter when she was younger. Cristo’s girlfriend denied going into the residence where the assault occurred and reiterated her story that she doesn’t know who assaulted the victim. Flores refused to speak with police and requested to speak with an attorney before making any statements.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.