2-Year Prison Sentence For Felon Who Beat Lake Elsinore Girlfriend

LAKE ELSINORE, CA — A convicted felon who severely beat his girlfriend at her Lake Elsinore residence, then barricaded himself in the home, culminating in a standoff with sheriff's deputies, was sentenced Thursday to two years in state prison.

Raul Benjamin Salas, 41, of Ontario last month pleaded guilty to domestic violence under a plea agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney's Office. In exchange for his admission, prosecutors dropped a charge of assault resulting in great bodily injury against Salas.

During a hearing at the Southwest Justice Center in Murrieta Thursday, Superior Court Judge Jeff Zimel certified the terms of the plea deal and imposed the sentence stipulated by the prosecution and defense.

According to sheriff's Sgt. Dan Flores, around 2 p.m. on July 4, Salas was involved in a dispute with his girlfriend, whose identity was not disclosed, at her house in the 100 block of South Terra Cotta Road, near Broadway Street.

The defendant turned physical, inflicting "significant injuries during the assault," Flores said.

Deputies were called to the location and discovered Salas had fled in the victim's car, according to the sergeant. A search for the vehicle was unsuccessful.

Shortly after 6 a.m. on July 5, Salas returned, and "he barricaded inside of the residence," Flores said.

The victim was apparently away from the house at the time.

Deputies went to the property, summoning SWAT personnel, who surrounded it. The ensuing standoff lasted nearly two hours before Salas surrendered peacefully.

Court records show the defendant had documented prior convictions for possession of controlled substances, driving under the influence, evading a peace officer and check fraud.