Pocatello Woman Faces Felony Aggravated Battery Charge After Allegedly Striking Man With Glass Bottle in Idaho Domestic Disturbance
A 37-year-old Pocatello woman is facing a felony aggravated battery charge after police say she struck a man over the head with a glass bottle during a domestic dispute earlier this month, according to police and court records obtained by the Idaho State Journal.
Cassandra Miguiel Castro, of Pocatello, was arrested on April 8 following a disturbance call at a local residence. Pocatello Police Department officers were dispatched to the home at approximately 7 p.m. Upon arrival, officers found a man seated on the outside steps of the residence, holding a rag to his head.
What Officers Found at the Scene
According to the police report, the victim told officers he had been engaged in a verbal argument with Castro when she picked up a castor oil bottle from the counter and struck him over the head with it. The man reported feeling confused and said that “everything went black” after the blow was delivered.
Officers observed physical evidence consistent with the account — glass pieces and oil were found in the victim’s hair and on his shirt, and a red mark was visible on the back of his head. A witness inside the home corroborated the victim’s account, telling police that Castro had come out of her bedroom and struck the man in the back of the head with the bottle.
Officers then spoke with Castro in her bedroom. They noted her clothing appeared wet with liquid and that she had a cut on a finger of her right hand. Castro told police she had been drinking and was upset, and that the situation had escalated. She told officers she did not know what happened after a certain point, but stated that she had pushed milk off the counter while walking to the bathroom, according to the police report.
Castro was arrested and transported to the Bannock County Jail in Pocatello, where she was booked on the aggravated battery charge. This type of incident is among the more serious domestic disturbance cases law enforcement responds to in Southeast Idaho. In a separate local case, a man was arrested after allegedly pointing a gun at his neighbor, highlighting the range of violent incidents officers in the area continue to address.
Court Proceedings and Potential Penalties
Castro appeared before 6th District Magistrate Judge Adam Strong for an arraignment hearing on April 9. Her bond was set at $10,000. She posted bond on April 10 and was released from jail.
A preliminary hearing had been scheduled for April 20 but has since been rescheduled to May 18. At the preliminary hearing, prosecutors will attempt to present sufficient evidence to move the case from magistrate court to district court for trial.
If convicted of felony aggravated battery, Castro faces up to 15 years in prison and a fine of up to $50,000, with the potential for additional prison time.
Prosecutors are also pursuing a persistent violator enhancement against Castro based on her previous felony convictions. If applied, the enhancement could extend any prison sentence by no less than five years and up to life in prison — a significant escalation that reflects the serious nature of repeat felony offenses under Idaho law.
Domestic violence incidents carry significant consequences not only for victims but for entire households and communities. Pocatello-area law enforcement has also recently responded to threats of violence at local schools, underscoring the ongoing public safety challenges facing Bannock County residents.
What Comes Next
The next scheduled court date for Castro is the preliminary hearing on May 18, at which point prosecutors will make their case to elevate the charges to district court for a formal trial. If the case proceeds, the persistent violator enhancement could dramatically increase the stakes for Castro, whose prior felony history makes this charge considerably more serious under Idaho sentencing guidelines. Bannock County News will continue to monitor the case as it moves through the court system.