Department of Justice, U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Oklahoma

A Tulsa man was sentenced Monday in federal court for assaulting and strangling his former intimate partner, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson.

U.S. District Judge Claire V. Eagan sentenced Terrance DuJuan Reed, 29, to 47 months followed by 3 years of supervised release.

“Terrance Reed violently beat and strangled his former intimate partner and now will spend almost four years in prison,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson. “A woman’s risk of being murdered increases exponentially if she has previously suffered non-fatal strangulation at the hands of her intimate partner. What we know is that successful domestic violence prosecutions coupled with access to vital community resources can save lives. My office remains committed to supporting victims and holding these dangerous perpetrators accountable for the emotional and physical harm they inflict on their partners.”

On June 8, 2020, Reed pleaded guilty to assault of an intimate partner by strangling, suffocating, or attempting to strangle or suffocate in Indian Country.

According to the complaint and accompanying affidavit initially filed in the case, Reed asked for a ride on Feb. 16, 2020. During the car ride, Reed began yelling at and questioning the victim about a recent trip she took with friends. Once they arrived at his destination, he demanded to check her text messages. Following the victim’s refusal to hand over her cell phone, Reed punched the victim, dragged her from the car, and began to strangle the victim with his hands. He then placed his arm around her throat and neck and strangled her until she passed out. He continued his violent attack by punching the victim in the head, eyes, and mouth. Upon regaining consciousness, the victim attempted to call 911 for help, but Reed took her cell phone and fled the scene.

The victim drove herself to a family member’s home to receive help, 911 was called, and emergency responders transported the victim to the hospital for care.Reed was located and arrested by Tulsa Police officers on Feb.17, 2020.

Intimate Partner Violence statistics:

-On a typical day, domestic violence hotlines nationwide receive approximately 20,800 calls.

-According to the CDC, nearly 1 in 4 adult women and approximately 1 in 7 adult men report having experienced severe physical violence.

-About 55% of female homicide victims in the United States were killed by an intimate partner who abused them.

-Strangulation has been identified as one of the most lethal forms of domestic violence: unconsciousness may occur within seconds and death within minutes.

-Visible signs of strangulation may not occur for hours to days after the incident.

– Injuries resulting from strangulation are often not visible.

-Learn more about the short and long term effects of strangulation here: https://www.familyjusticecenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Facts-Victims-of-Strangulation-Choking-Need-to-Know-Brochure-2017.pdf or at https://www.thehotline.org/resources/the-dangers-of-strangulation/.

You can find more domestic violence statistics at the National Hotline for Domestic Violence here.

The FBI and Tulsa Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cymetra M. Williams prosecuted the case.

 

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