AUGUSTA — An Augusta man who kept a woman in her basement apartment for four hours while he strangled and beat her was sentenced Wednesday to 4 1/2 years in prison.

Travon I. Vargas, 23, brutally beat his girlfriend on Oct. 15, 2023, in her Augusta apartment, inaccurately believing she had cheated on him the night before. He strangled her to the point her vision blurred and beat her so badly some of her injuries looked like those seen in homicide cases, Assistant District Attorney Amanda Seekins said.

He broke her glasses and phone so she couldn’t call for help, and left her with extensive bruising, a ruptured eardrum, and lasting anxiety, depression and a constant fear she may be attacked at any time.

Vargas, who pleaded guilty to charges of domestic violence aggravated assault, domestic violence criminal threatening, criminal restraint, and obstructing the report of a crime, was sentenced by Superior Court Justice Daniel Mitchell to nine years in prison, with all but 4 1/2 years of that time suspended, and four years probation.

Mitchell said Vargas’ actions in the incident were “particularly brutal and violent,” and that over the roughly four-hour incident he grabbed the victim by the neck, stomped on her chest, strangled her, hit her in the face, and grabbed her by her hair.

If Vargas complies with the terms of his probation after his release, which include requirements he not have contact with the victim and attend a certified domestic violence batterers intervention program, he will serve 4 1/2 years in prison. If he violates his probation conditions, he could be sentenced to serve the remaining time on his nine-year suspended sentence.

The victim, who at the time was Vargas’ girlfriend, testified in court that his attack left her with scars deeper than her physical injuries, which she said left her neck and body covered in bruises. She said during the incident she lost hope that she’d make it out alive. The newspaper does not name victims of domestic abuse without their permission.

“I screamed until my breath gave out,” the woman said through tears at the Capital Judicial Center, adding that when she begged and screamed for Vargas to stop, it made him even more angry and violent. “The violence inflicted upon me shattered my sense of safety and trust. Since the attack I’ve struggled with anxiety, depression, I have a constant, irrational, fear of being attacked.”

She said her family also suffered as a result of the attack, and her mother and father are consumed by feelings of guilt and helplessness for not being able to help her.

Vargas, who has no prior criminal record, stood in court and apologized for what he did to the woman.

“There are no words to make up for my actions Oct. 15, 2023,” he said. “I’ve come to learn my way of thinking was wrong and I need to change. I’ve promised myself I will never harm another person. I’m sorry (the woman) had such a traumatic experience. I’m ready to accept the consequences of my actions.”

Vargas was initially indicted on charges that also included kidnapping, domestic violence assault, domestic violence terrorizing, criminal mischief and assault. Those charges were dismissed when he pleaded guilty to domestic violence aggravated assault, domestic violence criminal threatening, criminal restraint and obstructing the report of a crime.

Vargas’ attorney, Justin Andrus, said Vargas endured a troubled upbringing, and was raised to see violence as a solution to problems. He said Vargas has fully taken responsibility for what he did and his guilty plea spared the victim and state from having to go to trial.

Andrus noted that Vargas has already taken steps to improve himself, is being treated and medicated for PTSD, and is learning nonviolent ways to deal with challenges.

Tiffany Vargas, Travon Vargas’ sister, spoke in support of her brother in court, saying he is a compassionate and kind person who has taken responsibility for what he did and was genuinely sincere in expressing his regrets and apology.

Seekins argued Vargas should receive a nine-year prison sentence, with all but five years suspended. Andrus argued for a five-year sentence, with all but two years suspended.