Maricopa men accused of strangling, choking victims

By Staff Reports
Mar 24, 2026

ROUGH WEEKEND

Three Maricopa men were arrested over the weekend in domestic violence cases involving strangulation or choking allegations, according to court records.

Meadows case brings strangulation charge

Virgil Travon Bryant, 36, was arrested in the Maricopa Meadows on felony charges shortly before midnight Saturday after officers responded to a domestic incident that had begun more than 10 hours earlier at a cheerleading event in Mesa.

According to a probable cause statement, Bryant and his wife argued before returning to their vehicle, where the confrontation escalated. The woman told police Bryant pinned her down with his forearm on her neck, then grabbed her neck with both hands and began strangling her.

She reported the strangulation lasted about 45 seconds, during which she could not breathe and felt like she was going to faint. Officers observed fresh red markings on the front and back of her neck consistent with being grabbed and strangled, as well as additional redness around her shoulders.

Police said Bryant later admitted to putting his hands on her neck and applying pressure.

He was charged with aggravated strangulation and disorderly conduct and booked into the Pinal County jail, where he remained Tuesday.

Choking reported in Acacia Crossings disturbance

In a separate case the same day, Maurice J. Miller was arrested after officers were dispatched around 5 p.m. to a home in the Acacia Crossings neighborhood for a reported domestic disturbance.

The victim told police Miller, no age listed, choked her during an argument after the two had been drinking earlier in the day. Officers documented injuries including redness, scratches and irritation around her neck and throat, along with cuts consistent with fingernail marks.

Witnesses in the home reported seeing Miller grab the woman by the neck and hearing yelling before he was pulled away.

Police charged Miller with aggravated assault and disorderly conduct. He was also found to have two active warrants at the time of his arrest.

He was booked into jail and has since been released.

Next-day choking assault reported in Homestead

A third Maricopa man was arrested the following day in a separate domestic violence case involving similar allegations.

Major F. Santiago, 36, was taken into custody Sunday after police responded to a home in the Homestead neighborhood.

According to police, Santiago’s wife reported he pushed her to the ground and held her down by the neck during an argument. The dispute began after she asked him to help put their child to bed while he was playing video games, noting that he was unemployed.

Santiago reportedly admitted he became irate when his wife removed his headphones and acknowledged placing his hand on her neck, saying both fell to the ground during the confrontation.

He was arrested on domestic violence charges of assault and disorderly conduct and later booked into jail. He has since been released.

Municipal court records show Santiago previously had assault, endangerment and fighting charges dismissed in Maricopa in 2024.