Former American Total Defense Owner Convicted of Brutal Assaults

SALEM, MA — A former owner of a Beverly MMA gym has been convicted of assaulting his girlfriend over an 18 month period, according to the Essex County District Attorney's Office. The attacks detailed in court left the victim nearly unrecognizable to her mother.

On Monday, a Salem Superior Court jury found Joseph Louf, 40, of Salem, guilty of mayhem, assault with intent to maim, four counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon (belt, bottle opener, rubbing alcohol and scissors), assault and battery on a pregnant person, assault and battery causing serious bodily injury, and assault and battery. Louf was found guilty of brutally beating and disfiguring his former girlfriend after just seven days of trial.

Louf previously owned American Total Defense on Elliott Street.

"With this verdict, the jury has assured the victim that she is not at fault nor did she deserve what happened to her," District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett said in a statement.

The Salem News reports that Louf was living in Salem at the time of his arrest.

According to the district attorney's office, the victim suffered two detached retinas that were a result of Louf kneeling on her eyes. The DA's office also found that Louf had broken the victim's nose numerous times, strangled her, and picked her up by her hair.

The DA's office also added that when the victim finally went to her family for help, she was nearly unrecognizable to her own mother. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 25.