MONROE — A Monroe man accused of battering and attempting to rape a woman he was drinking with at a local bar is back in court to face multiple felony charges.
Julio Vacquez, 23, who lives in the 1800 block of 8th Avenue, has been charged with kidnapping, substantial battery, strangulation, and suffocation, second degree sexual assault, false imprisonment, and second-degree sexual assault in the 2023 incident.
The case was proceeding to trial in Green County Circuit Court but will be delayed slightly as a new attorney is appointed for Vacquez, following a hearing Monday in which Jane Krueger Smith withdrew from his case due to an unspecified conflict of interest.
The ordeal began on Sunday, June 18, 2023 when Vacquez met the female victim at a bar and then took her to his apartment to continue drinking. But the night went wrong when she was allegedly grabbed by the defendant
He took her outside and began punching her in the head, according to the criminal complaint. It only got worse from there, authorities allege.
“(She) Victim 1 stated Julio touched her legs, breast and neck,” said the criminal complaint. “(She) Victim confirmed Julio restricted her breathing and she felt pain in her neck.”
The complaint further alleges that he beat her and then attempted to remove her underwear as she tried in vain to flee the truck. But eventually she was able to get free and report the attack to Monroe Police.
Speaking through a Spanish interpreter, she told police she did not know the man but was able to identify him when police pulled up his Facebook profile. It is unclear when police took him into custody because initially — in June of 2023 — attempts to locate him were unsuccessful and police feared he had fled to Mexico.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges in May 2024.
If convicted of the kidnapping charge alone, Vacquez faces a maximum possible sentence of 40 years in prison. Still in the custody of the Green County Jail, his next appearance in circuit court is scheduled for July 11 before Circuit Judge Jane Bucher.