Man gets probation in pregnant wife’s beating

Sept. 16--A Santa Fe man accused of beating and threatening to kill his pregnant wife will get probation rather than prison time under the terms of a plea deal with the District Attorney's Office.

According to a statement issued by the Santa Fe Police Department, Francisco Jasso, 29, attacked his pregnant wife on Jan. 11, declaring, "I'm going to make sure you have an abortion before you leave."

Jasso's wife told police that he went into the kitchen, grabbed a knife and threatened to stab her as she tried to leave the residence. She said that he dragged her outside by her hair and destroyed her cellphone, then brought her back inside and began beating her again.

Jasso pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors: battery and assault against a household member.

Six other charges that were more serious, including aggravated battery and false imprisonment, were dismissed.

He could have been sentenced to 180 days behind bars on each of the battery and assault charges. But the plea agreement calls for supervised probation, as well as behavioral health and alcohol screenings and treatment.

Jasso spent about two and a half months in jail while waiting for the case to be resolved.

Online records indicate Jasso was charged with battery against a household member and aggravated assault against a household member in 2013, but the charges were dismissed. Jasso also was charged with possession of marijuana or synthetic cannabinoids and possession of drug paraphernalia in 2013, but the charges were dismissed for lack prosecution.

In 2009, Jasso was charged with drunken driving, but those charges were dismissed. In 2008, he pleaded no contest to drunken driving, driving with a revoked license and no insurance, but online records did not indicate what sentence he received.

Contact Phaedra Haywood at 986-3068 or phaywood@sfnewmexican.com.

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