A Saugus man received probation and three days of time served in jail for a domestic violence charge, after his wife testified she was brought back and forth to India and made to fear for her life from family members.
Ashok Godula, 36, of Santa Clarita, pleaded no contest Tuesday to one count of felony domestic violence, and Judge Hilleri Merritt sentenced him to the agreed-upon terms, which included a domestic violence class and a protective order.
Godula’s formal probation will require him to comply with a number of terms, including regular check-ins with a probation officer.
As part of the agreement, one count against Godula, willful cruelty to a child, was dismissed.
During Godula’s preliminary hearing at San Fernando Superior Court, his wife later testified the abuse began months into their 12-year marriage while the couple still lived in India, but he stopped hitting her face when they moved to the United States, according to the court transcript of her testimony in August.
After the couple moved to Saugus, according to her testimony in court records, Godula would threaten her with deportation.
Godula’s daughter also testified that her father threatened her and her mother. She would also tell her mother to call the police, according to testimony from Godula’s wife.
Godula’s attorney asked why she stayed with Godula, even moving to other states with him before the two came back to California together, and the victim testified that she didn’t feel like she had anywhere else to go.
Locally, if anyone is experiencing domestic violence, they can contact the SCV Child & Family Center for more information and support services at 661-259-9439. Free and low-cost resources are available at BeTheDifferenceSCV.org.
