By SYDNEY KENT
A man from Bluffton will spend less than one year in prison after he was convicted of strangulation and intimidation.
Mathew Cassenta, 40, was sentenced to three years in the Indiana Department of Correction with two years suspended for strangulation, a Level 5 felony, and two years with one year suspended for intimidation, a Level 6 felony. The sentences are ordered to be served concurrently.
Cassenta received 121 days of jail credit towards his time in prison. One count of domestic battery, a Level 5 felony, was dismissed.
According to a probable cause affidavit, the charges were filed in May after the victim reported multiple episodes of abuse that occurred in a two-month span. The victim reported that Cassenta strangled her and threatened to “finish the job” this time. Specific dates in which the abuse occurred were not listed in the affidavit or cited during court.
Cassenta’s public defender Patrick Miller attempted to use this as a reason to dismiss the charges. Judge Kenton Kiracofe denied the request, citing multiple previous cases where a time range was allotted.
In August, Detective Cliff Thomas with the Bluffton Police Department testified that the victim had reported a series of ongoing abuse that was difficult to pinpoint from one incident to the next.
During his hearing in September, Cassenta asked the court if he could directly address the victim, who was present in the courtroom. Kiracofe explained that a no-contact order remained in effect, however, the victim nodded her head.
“Forgive me,” Cassenta said as he turned to face her. “I’m sorry, I should’ve done better.”
“I read in the book of Matthew,” Cassenta continued during his allocation statement, “it says that before you’re handed over to the court you should settle your arguments. I believe we are both guilty of not settling our arguments. As a married man still to this day, I love my wife and I love my daughter. I just want the best for them. Even if that means that we have to be separate, I just want the best for everyone involved. I am truly apologetic, I wish we could have resolved this outside of court.”
Cassenta was previously convicted of strangulation and domestic battery in the presence of a child in 2020 against the same victim. He was sentenced to 730 days in jail with 610 days suspended.
In 2021, Cassenta was convicted of battery against a public safety official, a Level 6 felony, and resisting law enforcement, a Class A misdemeanor. He was sentenced to one year in Community Corrections for the charge.
Upon release from incarceration, Cassenta will also be required to serve time on probation.
sydney@news-banner.com
