Man accused of brutally beating girlfriend told police he was drunk, did not remember assault

A Las Cruces man is accused of strangling his girlfriend and punching her during an argument early Sunday morning, Las Cruces Police said.

Brandon J. McMahon, 25, of the 900 block of south Telshor Boulevard, is charged with aggravated battery against a household member, battery against a household member and assault against a household member.

Investigators learned McMahon and his girlfriend were at a friend’s home Saturday evening where they got into an argument about going home. The two arrived at their residence on south Telshor Boulevard and continued arguing inside their car.

At some point during the argument, police said, McMahon began punching his girlfriend’s arm. The two then began physically fighting inside the vehicle. McMahon is suspected of grabbing his girlfriend’s hair and punching her face multiple times, police said.

McMahon exited the vehicle and allegedly attempted to remove their young child from the backseat. When his girlfriend intervened, McMahon allegedly pressed her against the car and placed his left arm around her neck in a stranglehold, preventing her from breathing for a short time, police said.

When investigators interviewed the woman, she had two black eyes, a swollen lip and redness to her hands. McMahon had blood on his left-hand ring finger. McMahon told investigators he was heavily intoxicated and unable to remember the altercation.

McMahon was arrested Sunday morning and booked into the Dona Ana County Detention Center where he is currently being held on a $1,000 bond.