Charles City man receives three years for strangulation; attempted murder charge dropped

A Charles City man will spend three years in jail after pleading guilty to a strangulation charge.

Ernest L. Jones, 43, of the 6200 block of Sign Post Lane, pled guilty as part of a plea deal reached during Friday morning proceedings in Charles City Circuit Court. One charge of attempted second degree murder and misdemeanor assault and battery of a family member were dropped as part of the agreement.

In a summary of evidence provided by Charles City Commonwealth’s Attorney Tyler Klink, on Sept. 30, 2025, officers responded to a call for service for a domestic assault near the intersection of Wayside and The New Road. Upon arrival, the officers encountered the victim, who had visible marks around their neck. The victim identified Jones as the assailant.

Officers received a recording from the victim that depicted sounds from the scuffle between them and Jones. The defendant could be heard threatening to choke the victim and said, “I’m going crush your windpipe right now.” Officers added they could hear the change of voice in the victim’s attempt to talk on the recording.

After a brief search, Jones was located and questioned about the incident. The defendant was later taken into custody on the charge.

Under the agreement, Jones received a five-year sentence with two years suspended (three years to serve) on the strangulation conviction.