Charged with beating 84-year-old Pascual Sanchez
Nineteen-year-old Jesus Ibarra of St. James was arraigned in Watonwan District Court in St. James on Friday, June 30 on onee charge of first degree assault, one count of assault in the third degree and two misdemeanor counts one of assault in the fifth degree. The first two charges are felonies. Ibarra remains in jail.
The criminal complaint states that St. James Police officers were called to the scene of a fight on the 1100 block of Second Avenue South in St. James at about 12:45 p.m. on Monday, June 26.
They arrived to find 84-year-old Pascual Sanchez with multiple injuries, which witnesses said was from a one-sided attack by a young man in a red shirt and jeans.
Sanchez told investigators that his attacker was in his late teens or early 20s, and first stumbled past him as he was fixing a bicycle outside of his home.
The victim said the man, later identified as Ibarra, seemed to be under the influence of some substance.
Ibarra circled back and showed Sanchez a bag of marijuana. The victim, who had a baseball bat with him, warned Ibarra that he could be arrested.
The complaint says Ibarra told Sanchez that he was “pretty brave,” and then took his bat and began beating him with it.
Sanchez was struck in the face and ribs about six times, and was kicked in the ribs, arm and head several times.
Police say Sanchez, who was hospitalized, suffered brain bleeding and several fractures, including a broken nose and wrist.
Ibarra was picked out of a photo lineup by the victim, and was arrested on Wednesday, June 28.
Police say after Ibarra refused to give them a statement, but asked the assistant police chief if he could “get out of it,” implying that he wanted to be an informant. Police turned down his request.
Ibarra could face up to 25 years in prison if convicted.
Click here to visit the GoFundMe page set up to help with Sanchez’s medical expenses.
