State: Cheyenne Man Strangled and Battered His Victim for Hours

A 21-year-old Cheyenne man is facing felony charges after reportedly strangling a household member and stealing a vehicle.

According to a booking sheet, Leyser Perez-Santay was located and arrested at North Cheyenne Community Park at 3001 Mynear St. at 7:39 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1, after police received a tip from the victim.

Police say the victim positively identified Perez-Santay as her ex-boyfriend and domestic abuser.

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Perez-Santay was taken to the Laramie County Detention Center and subsequently charged by information alleging on or about June 26, strangulation of a household member - applying pressure on the throat or neck, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison; felony theft, a crime punishable by up to 10 years in prison, up to a $10,000 fine, or both; and domestic battery - first offense, a misdemeanor.

Initial Court Appearance

On Thursday, July 3, Perez-Santay was seen in Laramie County Circuit Court in front of Judge Antoinette Williams on the charges.

"The state does not have a record prior to this recorded in the NCIC, however, the accusations are that he spent a couple of hours strangling and battering his victim in this case," the state told the court. "That followed his inspection of her phone wherein he found a conversation she had with her male cousin."

"They've dated only since November ... This early in life and so early into your relationship, exhibiting that kind of behavior gives the state concern that he has violent tendencies," the state added, recommending Perez-Santay's bond be set at $8,000 cash.

$10K Cash Bond

Williams set Perez-Santay's bond at $10,000 cash, which he posted on Monday, July 7.

He's scheduled to be back in Circuit Court for his preliminary hearing on Thursday, July 10, at 1:30 p.m.

Please remember that all suspects are presumed to be innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

How to Get Help

If you're experiencing domestic violence, you can get help by calling Safehouse Services in Cheyenne any time on the 24-hour crisis line at 307-637-7233.

You can also get help by calling the Wyoming Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-591-9159 or the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.