A 43-year-old Aberdeen man is facing multiple felony charges after a Bingham County deputy responding to a call discovered a woman outside a trailer with significant facial injuries, authorities say.
German Zamora Valdez Jr. was taken into custody Friday morning and booked into the Bingham County Jail on charges of felony domestic battery inflicting traumatic injury, felony attempted strangulation, and misdemeanor intentional destruction of a telecommunication line. Bond was set at $150,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 25.
What Deputies Found at the Scene
When a Bingham County deputy arrived at the trailer, the victim was found seated on a swing outside. She appeared disheveled, and the deputy observed severe swelling to the left side of her face along with open skin on both her upper and lower lips.
Inside the trailer, the deputy located a broken blue collapsible table, a shattered cell phone, and personal belongings scattered throughout — physical evidence consistent with what the victim described.
The victim told investigators she had been subjected to physical attacks by Valdez over three consecutive days. She stated Valdez struck her directly in the face with the blue collapsible table, choked her to the point where she was unable to breathe, and knocked her to the ground on multiple occasions as she attempted to leave. On her first two escape attempts, she said he tackled her and prevented her from getting away. She was only able to flee on the third try.
The victim also reported that on the night before authorities were called, she had used her phone to film Valdez during one of the alleged abusive incidents. She said Valdez discovered the recording and destroyed the device.
Charges and Potential Penalties
Valdez was arrested by Bingham County deputies and transported to the Bingham County Jail. If convicted on all counts, he faces a maximum combined prison sentence of 26 years.
The attempted strangulation charge alone carries significant weight under Idaho law, as prosecutors treat non-fatal strangulation as a serious indicator of escalating domestic violence. The destruction of the victim’s cell phone — allegedly used to document abuse — resulted in a separate misdemeanor charge related to disabling a telecommunication device.
The case now moves toward the June 25 preliminary hearing, where a judge will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to proceed to trial.
Domestic Violence Incidents Across the Region
Domestic violence cases involving serious physical injury have drawn heightened attention from law enforcement agencies across East Idaho. Authorities in Bonneville County have also dealt with incidents requiring significant emergency response in recent weeks, including a situation in which Bonneville County deputies sought public help locating a 20-year-old who fled officers near Iona Road.
Residents who believe they are in immediate danger are encouraged to contact local law enforcement or the Idaho Council on Domestic Violence and Victim Assistance for resources and support. Anyone with information relevant to active cases in Bingham or Bonneville counties is urged to contact their local sheriff’s office directly.
What Comes Next
Valdez’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 25 in Bingham County. At that proceeding, a judge will review the evidence to decide whether the felony charges are sufficient to advance the case toward a district court trial. With bond set at $150,000, Valdez remains in custody at the Bingham County Jail pending that hearing.
No additional details about the relationship between Valdez and the victim have been released by authorities at this time. The case remains active, and further developments are expected following the preliminary hearing later this month.