Epifano Castillo

Name:
Castillo, Epifano Yancarlo

Date of Booking:
12/11/2025

Reason(s) For Booking:
False Imprisonment

Aggravated Assault

Battery- Family Violence

Officer’s Narrative:
[Please note: The following is a direct transcription from the official initial incident report. The Georgia Gazette does not fix any spelling or grammatical errors that may exist. Any changes or redactions made by our staff are placed inside brackets. Some errors may exist. All subjects are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The topics discussed may be sensitive to some readers. Discretion is advised.]

On 12/11/2025 at approximately 1707 hours, I, Deputy D. Stephens of the Houston County Sheriff’s Office, along with Deputy T. Tripp, was dispatched to the intersection of Elaine Dr and Elaine Ct in Warner Robins, Georgia, to speak with a victim regarding a domestic.

Upon arrival at the scene, we made contact with the victim, [VICTIM #1], who had dried blood on her forehead, nose, clothes, and arms. These injuries were documented via photograph, and they will be added to the report at a later date. I then asked [VICTIM #1] if she needed medical attention, and she denied it.

Upon speaking with [VICTIM #1], I asked her to explain where the incident occurred and what happened during it. She stated that the incident happened at [10 BLOCK] Red Fox Run in Warner Robins, Georgia, and that it was a physical altercation between her and her children’s father, Epeifano Castillo.

When asked to elaborate on the physicality of the incident, [VICTIM #1] stated that she went to Epeifano’s house to give him time with their baby. Before getting the baby out of the vehicle, she spoke with him on the porch. While speaking with him about a text message from earlier in the day, [VICTIM #1] stated that Epeifano grabbed her in a bear hug after she stepped toward him. Once this action took place, she stated that she used the palm of her hand to push up, underneath his chin, to get him off of her.

Once she created a small separation, [VICTIM #1] stated that Epeifano “slammed” her to the ground to keep her from escaping. Once on the ground, [VICTIM #1] stated that Epeifano’s head was near her midsection when he used his legs to trap her head and left arm. Once Epeifano trapped her head and arm, [VICTIM #1] stated that he locked his legs and began to squeeze until she lost the ability to breathe. [VICTIM #1] stated that she was scared for her safety at the time of the incident due to her lack of oxygen intake.

[VICTIM #1] further stated that she clawed and tried to fight her way away from him, but he hit her in the face and head repeatedly during the incident. When asked to describe how Epeifano hit her, [VICTIM #1] stated, “Everything happened so fast, so I do not know how he hit me, but he must have.” [VICTIM #1] stated that she did not know how long they were on the ground for, but she felt as if he was trying to prevent her from leaving by not releasing her from his grip.

I then asked [VICTIM #1] how she got away from Epeifano, and she said she fought and clawed until he released her. Once she was free, [VICTIM #1] stated that she ran to her car and drove away to safety before she called 911 because she wanted to get away from him before she called. I then advised [VICTIM #1] how to obtain a Temporary Protection Order.

While speaking with [VICTIM #1], I saw a male walking past us in a red hoodie and khaki pants. I then asked [VICTIM #1] what Epeifano was wearing, and she advised that he was wearing a red hoodie and khaki pants. After this comparison, I asked [VICTIM #1] if the male walking was Epeifano, and she advised that it was.

I then called for Epeifano to come to my patrol car, and he complied. While walking over, Epeifano spontaneously uttered “she attacked me” and “I did nothing wrong.” I also observed some small scratches on his face and arm. These injuries were documented by photograph and will be added to the report at a later date.

When asked what happened, Epeifano stated that when [VICTIM #1] came over to let him see his baby, they got into an argument but would not specify what the argument was about. Once the argument ensued, Epeifano advised that [VICTIM #1] stepped toward him, took his phone, and tried to leave. When he saw that she had his phone, he grabbed her in a bear hug to prevent her from leaving with his phone.

Once in a bear hug, Epeifano stated that [VICTIM #1] grabbed his hair and dragged him to the ground. Once on the ground, Epeifano stated that he never hit [VICTIM #1], but he confirmed that he wrapped his legs around her head and arm but would not admit that he choked her. Epeifano stated that he did this because he wanted to get his phone from [VICTIM #1]. He then stated that [VICTIM #1] hit him, scratched him, and bit him on his left hand.

When Epeifano showed me the alleged bite mark on his hand, I could see a small dent in the skin, but I was unable to determine whether it was a bite mark or not. While I spoke with Epeifano, Deputy Tripp asked [VICTIM #1] if she had taken his phone at any point in their interaction, and she denied it. Deputy Tripp advised that [VICTIM #1] told him that Epeifano initially had his phone during the interaction and put it down before the altercation, but she never touched it.

After interviewing both parties involved, considering the evidence at hand and the injuries sustained, I determined that Epeifano Castillo was the predominant aggressor in this incident. Once I made this determination, I had Epeifano put his hand behind his back and advised him that he was under arrest. Once Epeifano put his hands behind his back, I placed my handcuffs on his wrists. Once this task was completed, I checked the handcuffs for fit and double-locked them for safety.

I then conducted a search incident to arrest on Epeifano and found no contraband. After conducting a search of Epeifano’s person, I placed him in the back of my patrol car and secured him with a seatbelt for transport. Once secured, I transported Epeifano to the Houston County Detention Center.

Once we arrived at the detention center, I filled out all of the necessary forms for Epeifano’s admission, including a victim notification form, and submitted them for approval. Once the paperwork was approved, and Epeifano was admitted to the detention center, I turned him over to the detention staff for further processing. While filling out the proper paperwork, I contacted Investigator Barfield to brief him on the incident.

Epeifano Castillo was arrested and charged with OCGA 16-5-41 (False Imprisonment) because he held her on the ground and refused to allow her to move freely. He was also charged with OCGA 16-5-21 (Aggravated Assault-Strangulation) due to his using his legs to trap [VICTIM #1]’s head and arm and squeezing them, thus causing her to lose the ability to breathe. He was also charged with OCGA 16-5-23.1 (Battery) because of the visible injuries that he caused [VICTIM #1] to sustain during their altercation. I will be seeking warrants for these charges.

[End of Narrative]