Domestic Assault in Morrill

(MORRILL, Neb.) — A 35-year-old man faces a misdemeanor charge following an alleged domestic disturbance Monday morning in Morrill.

Adrian Alberto Encinas-Vizcarra was arrested Oct. 12 on suspicion of third-degree domestic assault, a Class 1 misdemeanor, according to court documents filed in Scotts Bluff County Court.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, an officer with the Morrill Police Department responded to a residence on East Webster Street at approximately 7:50 a.m. following a report of a woman punched in the face. Upon arrival, the responding officer contacted Encinas-Vizcarra in a nearby parking lot.

Due to a language barrier, the officer communicated with Encinas-Vizcarra using a translation app on a mobile device. Encinas-Vizcarra denied getting into a physical altercation or verbal argument that morning, claiming the woman had previously threatened to call law enforcement to have his visa revoked, according to the affidavit.

The officer then interviewed the victim inside the residence. She alleged that during an argument, Encinas-Vizcarra struck her in the face with his right hand. The officer reported observing visible swelling and redness on the right side of her lower lip.

Encinas-Vizcarra was taken into custody and transported to the Scotts Bluff County Detention Center in Gering.

During an appearance before County Court Judge Mark L. Kovarik, Encinas-Vizcarra entered a plea of not guilty. Court records indicate an interpreter was appointed for Spanish-language proceedings. Bond was set at $10,000 with a 10% cash deposit allowed.

A pretrial conference in the case has been scheduled for Nov. 30 at 9 a.m. in Scotts Bluff County Court in Gering.