A Des Moines man was arrested Tuesday on a Dallas County warrant in connection with incidents in 2023 in which he allegedly assaulted and harassed a Des Moines woman, endangered her child and damaged her vehicle.
Francisco Ramon Cortez Jr., 28, of 1427 E. 40th St., Des Moines, was charged with third or subsequent offense domestic abuse assault, first-degree harassment, second-degree criminal mischief, third-degree burglary, child endangerment and violation of a no-contact order.
The incident began Oct. 6, 2023, at a business in the 100 bock of Jordan Creek Parkway in West Des Moines, where Cortez allegedly “chased the victim through the parking lot,” which put the victim in fear of Cortez’s “physically injuring her,” according to court records.
The victim “had their child in her arms” while Cortez allegedly chased her, according to court records.
During the same incident, Cortez also allegedly damaged the victim’s vehicle, including smashing all the windows, tearing off the interior and exterior door handles and the windshield wipers and “keying” the exterior.
Cortez later contacted the victim by telephone and “threatened to kill her by slitting her throat,” according to court records. The telephone conversation was on a speaker phone and was overheard by officers.
A warrant for Cortez’s arrest was ordered Dec. 1, 2023, in Dallas County District Court after he failed to appear for arraignment. The warrant was served Tuesday. Cortez is held in the Dallas County Jail on a $15,000 cash-only bond. He is scheduled for arraignment March 28 in Dallas County District Court.
Cortez was convicted of first-offense domestic abuse assault-bodily injury or mental illness in 2015 in Polk County District Court. He was convicted of domestic abuse assault-impeding flow of air/blood in 2015 in Polk County District Court. He was convicted of assault causing bodily injury or mental illness in 2017 in Polk County District Court. He was convicted of third-degree burglary in 2018 in Polk County District Court. He was convicted of assault with intent to inflict serious injury and assault causing bodily injury or mental illness in 2018 in Polk County District Court.
*A criminal charge is merely an accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
