A Santa Rosa man who prosecutors say squandered every chance to turn his life around has been ordered to serve five years in state prison, the maximum term allowed for his domestic violence conviction. On Wednesday, Judge Laura Passaglia handed down the sentence after hearing how the defendant had a pattern of repeated assaults and a prior domestic violence case that, in the prosecution’s view, showed he had not changed.
Aaron Perez-Gonzalez, 29, pleaded no contest to domestic violence with a previous conviction and to committing a new offense while he was already awaiting sentencing, according to prosecutors. Police were first called on Feb. 5, 2025, after a woman reported he slapped and punched her, leaving a laceration on her mouth. Prosecutors say he attacked her again on June 11, 2025, despite a court-ordered no-contact order that was supposed to keep him away. The second incident left the victim with facial trauma and a concussion, according to SFGATE.
Attacks while awaiting sentencing
Prosecutors say Perez-Gonzalez ignored the no-contact order, confronted the victim about his earlier case, and pressured her to help get the order lifted before striking and pushing her. They told the court he already had a 2019 domestic violence conviction involving a different woman, in which he was accused of hitting her, causing facial injuries, and strangling her to the point that her breathing was restricted.
Judge Passaglia, as recounted by prosecutors to SFGATE, said that at every single opportunity Perez-Gonzalez had been given at rehabilitation, treatment, or to change his ways he had 'failed miserably.' With that track record laid out in open court, the judge opted for the stiffest punishment available.
Legal context
Under California law, inflicting corporal injury on an intimate partner is treated as a serious felony, with tougher consequences for repeat offenders. Penal Code § 273.5 allows a prison term of up to five years when the defendant has a qualifying prior conviction within seven years, which is the provision that made the five-year sentence available in this case. Additional sentence enhancements, such as those under Penal Code § 12022.7 for great bodily injury, can add consecutive years in cases that meet the legal standard. See Penal Code § 273.5 and Penal Code § 12022.7 for the statutes.
Where survivors can get help
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. In Sonoma County, the YWCA operates a 24/7 domestic violence hotline at (707) 546-1234, and the Family Justice Center Sonoma County offers wraparound services at (707) 565-8255. Both organizations provide confidential assistance and referrals. For more information, visit YWCA Sonoma County and Family Justice Center Sonoma County.
