Man pleads guilty to third-degree assault — domestic violence

MOSES LAKE — A Moses Lake man was sentenced to jail after he pleaded guilty to a domestic violence charge Tuesday.  

Matthew Lee Garza, 41, pleaded guilty to third-degree assault, criminal negligence and bodily harm with a weapon at Grant County Superior Court on Oct. 8. Judge Tyson R. Hill sentenced Garza to 364 days in custody with 274 days suspended. 

According to a statement filed by the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to Samaritan Hospital at about 6:30 p.m. Feb. 25, following a report from the Multi-Agency Communication Center of a physical domestic disturbance. The victim had sought refuge at Samaritan Hospital, the GCSO statement said. 

Responding deputies met with the victim, who was receiving medical care for injuries to her face. She was sent to a hospital outside the area for specialized treatment.  

The victim said her partner, Garza, had caused the injuries.  

Later that evening MACC received further reports of a verbal disturbance involving Garza. At approximately 10:30 p.m., law enforcement located the individual in a shed situated in the backyard of a residence on Vandenberg Avenue, near where the initial assault was alleged to have taken place.  

Upon questioning, the suspect acknowledged knowing the victim and identified her as his girlfriend. 

Garza was placed under arrest and denied harming the victim. 

The suspect was transported to Grant County Jail and booked on charges of second-degree assault — domestic violence. Grant County prosecutors reached an agreement with Garza to plead guilty to third-degree assault — domestic violence Oct. 4.