IC man accused of firing shots during alleged violent burglary
Hunter
3/21/19
An Iowa City man is in custody after an alleged violent burglary of his ex-girlfriend’s home.
Arrest reports indicate that Thursday at about 12:20am, 34-year-old Franklyn Valerio Brito of the Breckenridge Estates Mobile Home Park entered the woman’s residence in the 2500 block of Aster Avenue without authority or consent, and physically assaulted her while holding a pistol. The woman told police that Valerio-Brito put the barrel of the gun in her mouth, hit her in the face, and dragged her out of the residence, screaming that he was going to kill her. Valerio Brito also allegedly fired shots inside and outside the residence during the incident.
The woman’s brother was at the residence and witnessed the assault; both his and the woman’s children were also in the home at the time.
Valerio-Brito had fled the scene by the time officers arrived, but they caught up with him shortly thereafter walking through the yard of a nearby apartment complex with mud up and down his pants. He allegedly told officers “I know what this is about” as he was being taken into custody. He admitted that he no longer lives with the victim and had moved out four days prior. Officers asked him to explain what happened, but he only stated “whatever she said is fine,” giving no other details.
The woman suffered injuries on the left side of her face, cuts and scratches on her knees, a cut below her nose, and a clump of hair pulled from her scalp. Officers discovered bullet holes inside and outside the residence to corroborate the victim’s statement. She told officers this is the second time Valerio-Brito has been violent with her, was in fear for her life during the incident, and fears future violence at his hand. She requested a no contact order.
Valerio-Brito was charged with burglary in the first degree, two charges of child endangerment, intimidation with a dangerous weapon, kidnapping, domestic abuse assault and harassment. If convicted on all counts, he could be sentenced to up to 69 years in prison.