Idaho Man Accused of Beating Woman Who Took Phone Pleads Guilty

CALDWELL, Idaho (AP) — A Nampa man accused of kidnapping and torturing a woman in Caldwell has pleaded not guilty to two counts of aggravated battery in exchange for prosecutors dropping other charges.

The Idaho Statesman reports that 34-year-old Arturo Mendoza was charged in February for kidnapping and beating an ex-girlfriend after she took his cellphone. Three more felony charges were added in June in connection to letters he sent from jail hoping to discourage the woman from testifying.

Caldwell police say a woman who had taken Mendoza's phone out of spite, agreed to meet him at a gas station. Police say when Mendoza arrived, her rammed his car into hers, eventually dragged her out and beat repeatedly her at a house. She escaped and police later captured Mendoza. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 24.