On Aug. 21, Westchester County District Attorney Susan Cacace announced that a Yonkers man was charged in a 12-count indictment for allegedly strangling and assaulting his girlfriend multiple times during a violent February 2026 attack and subsequently repeatedly violating an order of protection following his arrest.
The defendant, Otoniel Morel Tejeda, 37, was arraigned Friday before Judge George Fufidio in Westchester County Court on the following charges:
• Two counts of Strangulation in the Second Degree: Class D Felony
• Two counts of Criminal Contempt in the First Degree: Class E Felony
• Three counts of Assault in the Third Degree: Class A Misdemeanor
• Two counts of Criminal Mischief in the Fourth Degree: Class A Misdemeanor
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree: Class A Misdemeanor
• Menacing in the Second Degree: Class A Misdemeanor
• Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree: Class A Misdemeanor
The defendant pleaded not guilty and remains free on $1,000 cash bail. Judge Fufidio denied a request by the District Attorney’s Office to increase bail. The defendant is due back in court on November 10, 2026.
DA Cacace said: “The defendant allegedly strangled and terrorized his girlfriend, demonstrating a deeply disturbing pattern of violence, intimidation, and control. Domestic violence is not a private matter, it is a serious crime, and no one should ever have to live in fear in their home or relationship. While our office stands firmly with survivors of domestic violence and pursuing justice on their behalf, I am deeply disappointed that our request for a bail increase, which sought to protect the victim from further harm — particularly in light of the defendant’s alleged repeated violations of an order of protection — was denied.”
On Feb. 21, 2026, at approximately 12:30 a.m., it is alleged that the defendant pushed the victim, his girlfriend, into a wall inside their Yonkers home and threatened her life before destroying her cell phone as she attempted to call the police. He allegedly proceeded to wrap his shirt around the victim’s neck and strangled her until she lost consciousness. When the victim awakened, the defendant allegedly punched her in the face multiple times.
The defendant allegedly put his hands around the victim’s throat again and applied pressure after biting her face, pointing a knife at her, threatening to kill her, and slicing her nose.
The victim managed to escape and called the police after pepper spraying the defendant, who was taken into custody at the scene by members of the Yonkers Police Department.
The victim was transported to a local hospital, where she was treated for her injuries.
A temporary order of protection was issued against the defendant, who, following his arrest, allegedly violated that order multiple times by calling and texting the victim threatening messages between March 22 and March 29, 2026.
The defendant was re-arrested by the Yonkers Police Department on April 6, 2026.
The investigation was conducted by the Yonkers Police Department.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Paige Pirtle of the Domestic Violence Bureau.