By Jacob Mathias

A Custer man faces felony battery charges after allegedly punching his girlfriend multiple times during an argument over the name of their son.

Zachary L. Duron Rodriguez, 30, is charged with felony substantial battery with intent to inflict bodily harm for which he could see a maximum sentence of up to a $10,000 fine, three years and six months imprisonment or both if convicted. As the defendant is a repeat felony offender his prison sentence could be increased by up to another four years.

Rodriguez is also charged with two counts of misdemeanor bail jumping which carry a maximum sentence of up to a $10,000 fine, or nine months imprisonment or both. His repeat offender status can also levy him an additional two years imprisonment for each count.

Rodriguez was scheduled to make his initial appearance in Portage Co. Circuit Court on July 25 but that appearance has been adjourned so he can retain an attorney.

According to court documents, on May 25 at about 5:40 PM a Stevens Point Police officer was dispatched to St. Michael’s Hospital for a woman being treated for injuries she sustained during a domestic disturbance. The woman identified herself as the girlfriend of Rodriguez.

According to the woman, the incident began about three hours earlier when she opened a piece of mail containing an insurance card for a child she shares with the defendant. Rodriguez reportedly became upset when he saw the child’s last name was that of the woman and not himself. He demanded the woman change the child’s name and then ripped up the insurance card.

Rodriguez then reportedly punched her in the left side of her face with his fist. He continued to demand the woman change the child’s name and punched her approximately five more times, according to the complaint.

The woman said she then went to sit on the couch with her son; Rodriguez followed her, hitting her “a few more times.” She said he then delivered a “blow to the nose” which she thinks rendered her unconscious. She next remembers standing up and feeling “hazy.” She also reports her nose bleeding onto her feet and the floor.

The woman’s mother soon arrived and they told Rodriguez he had to leave the apartment and not return.

The officer reports observing bruising around the woman’s eyes and nose.

Rodriguez is free on a $400 cash bond and returns to court on August 15 at 1:30 PM for his adjourned initial appearance.