GREEN RIVER — Reuben James Perich, 25, of Rock Springs, pleaded no contest to charges of aggravated assault and domestic battery today in Third District Court and was sentenced to 3-5 years in the Wyoming State Penitentiary.

Perich, a former Grand Junction, CO resident, was arrested on October 12 at this home after striking his pregnant girlfriend in the face and injuring her shoulder. Perich told Judge Richard Lavery that he had consumed almost and entire gallon of rum after returning home from work that day, and has little recollection of the events that transpired.

Perich said he was not disputing the statement made by his girlfriend about the physical altercation. She reported to police that he hit her twice in the face with a closed fist. He said he woke the next day and found that she had swelling on the left side of her face and a shoulder injury.

Perich said the couple had just found out that she was about 10 weeks pregnant, but he insisted that the pregnancy did not make him upset. He added that she had “around four shots” of alcohol that night as well.

The idea that you would hit a woman, hit a woman who was your significant other, and hit a woman who was pregnant is intolerable

Third District Court Judge Richard Lavery

Probation Violation

Perich was facing probation revocation for a similar conviction that happened earlier this year when the October episode occurred. His revocation was scheduled to be heard in Judge Suzannah Robinson’s court, so a “global” plea agreement was reached covering both cases, according to Perich’s attorney Alex Breckenridge.

During his factual testimony, Perich admitted to an alcohol addiction for many years. and he’d been drinking in both cases involving his domestic altercations.

However, he didn’t request an intensive treatment program recommendation as part of his plea deal. He said he thought he’d address his alcohol problem through programs offered by the Department of Corrections while in prison.

Lavery accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Perich to 3-5 years in prison for the felony aggravated assault charge, and 39 days already served for the misdemeanor domestic battery charged.

He was also ordered to pay $525 in court fees and undergo a post-sentence investigation for the purpose of program placement within the DOC.