DETROIT (WWJ) -- A 23-year-old Detroit man has been charged with the horrific torture and sexual assault of his girlfriend.
Officials say that on June 2, at 7:24 a.m., officers were dispatched to a home in the 13000 block of Kilbourne Avenue for a domestic violence assault.
It's alleged that Jonathan Milamont Welch woke up his 22-year-old live-in girlfriend by sexually assaulting her at around 3 a.m.
Officials said he demanded the password to her cell phone. When she refused, he physically assaulted her, placed an extension cord around her neck and strangled her.
Authorities allege that he also poured gasoline on her body and burned her arms and legs with a metal spatula. He also allegedly attempted to sexually assault her with a large pole.
Over the course of the attack, officials said he beat her with his belt and threatened her with a drill.
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When Welch went into the kitchen, the victim was able to run out of the front door and go to a neighbor’s house on Kilbourn.
Welch followed her onto the porch and pulled on the victim but eventually left the neighbor’s porch. Once he was gone the neighbors took her into their house, gave the victim a blanket to cover herself and called 911.
Officials said Welch then returned and kicked in the neighbors' door and left the location in a car before officers arrived on the scene.
An investigation by Detroit police officers led to the arrest of Welch at 11:24 a.m. on the same day.
Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Jonathan Milamont Welch on Sunday, June 12, with torture, first-degree home invasion, use/possession of a harmful device causing injury, 3rd degree criminal sexual conduct, assault with intent to commit sexual penetration, assault with intent to do great bodily harm and three counts of felonious assault.
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Welch received a 100,000/10% cash/surety bond with a tether and was ordered to have no contact with the defendant.
His probable cause conference is on June 21, and his preliminary examination is on June 2.
“The alleged horrific torture that our survivor suffered at the hands of the defendant will stop you in your tracks. We will be moving for a higher bond after the proofs are placed on the record at the preliminary examination," said Worthy. “If you are a victim of domestic violence or know someone who is, there is help for you."