Mendocino County man arrested, accused of brutally assaulting partner
Originally published 6-7-22
by the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office:
“On 6/1/2022 at about 4:50 PM, the Mendocino County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to Adventist Health Howard Hospital in Willits, CA regarding an assault victim at the location. Deputies responded and found the victim was suffering from major facial injuries.
Deputies learned the victim’s boyfriend of two years, later identified as Jose “Johnny” Santiago, had hit the victim in the face with a large piece of wood. Deputies were advised the incident occurred in Covelo on 6/1/2022 at about 2:00 AM along an unknown dirt road. Santiago had also taken the victim’s phone and caused damage to her vehicle. The victim was able to call her family using a different phone. The victim’s family responded and her a ride to the Covelo Fire Department.
Deputies attempted to locate Santiago with negative results. A be-on-the-look-out (BOLO) was issued for Santiago related to this ongoing investigation.
On 6-2-2022 at about 2:30 PM, MCSO Dispatch advised Round Valley Tribal Police had located and detained Santiago. An MCSO Deputy responded and subsequently arrested Santiago for Domestic Battery (273.5 PC), Assault with a deadly weapon (245(a)(1) PC), and Battery causing serious injury (243(d)PC).
Santiago was transported to the Mendocino County Jail to be held in lieu of $30,000.00 bail.”
