A Cary man has been sentenced to over five years in prison after he pleaded guilty to putting a woman in a chokehold before a neighbor came to her aid during the attack.
Brian Massaro, 41, of Cary, was charged in March 2022 with three counts of aggravated domestic battery, two counts of domestic battery enhanced, unlawful restraint, two counts of criminal damage to property and interfering with the reporting of domestic violence.
The Cary Police Department responded on August 18, 2022, to the 400 block of North 1st Street for multiple 911 calls of a domestic violence incident.
Prosecutors said officers arrived and found the injured victim who immediately identified her attacker as Massaro.
The woman reported that Massaro restrained her in a chokehold while threatening her. He covered the woman’s mouth to prevent her from breathing, according to a criminal complaint.
The victim was able to struggle free and call for aid from her next-door neighbor, prosecutors said.
Medical attention was secured for the victim and law enforcement began tracking Massaro, prosecutors said.
The man had already fled the scene but was able to be apprehended at a late date after a warrant was issued.
The victim and Massaro were in a dating relationship at the time.
Massaro, who has a prior conviction for domestic battery, entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office earlier this week.
He pleaded guilty to his most serious charge, aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony.
His other charges were dismissed along with other criminal cases where he was charged with violating his bond conditions.
McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis sentenced Massaro to five and a half years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, which will be served at 85%.
The McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office said it takes crimes of domestic violence “very seriously” as they often are a repeated pattern of harm.
McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally said he extends his gratitude to the officers of the Cary Police Department and McHenry County State’s Attorney Tyler Mikan for their “swift actions and dedication to the safety of our residents.”