‘Serial abuser’ convicted in August 2012 attack on girlfriend

A Riverhead man described by prosecutors as a “serial abuser” was convicted yesterday of charges stemming from an August 2012 attack on his girlfriend in the Fanning Boulevard home they shared.

During an argument on Aug. 4, 2012, Travis James, 32, choked his girlfriend, threw her onto a bed and put a pillow over her head, obstructing her breathing for several seconds, prosecutors said.

James violated a standing order of protection and was convicted yesterday of all charges in an 11-count indictment, including two counts of aggravated criminal contempt, a D felony carrying a minimum two- to four-year sentence, according to a press release issued by Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota’s office.

His conviction came following a bench trial before Suffolk County Criminal Court Judge William Condon, who will sentence him on Dec. 23.

James “deserves state prison time for his behavior,” Spota said.

He had previously been convicted of violating standing orders of protection, yet repeatedly made harassing phone calls to the victim in violation of the order, Spota said.

James also used an emissary to deliver a threatening message to his ex-girlfriend not to come to court, Spota said.

For the Aug. 4, 2012 attack, the defendant was charged and found guilty of two counts of aggravated criminal contempt, criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation, criminal contempt in the first and second degrees, and harassment in the second degree. He was also charged and convicted of five other criminal contempt charges stemming from harassing phone calls made in violation of a court order.

Spota said James’ March 2010 conviction on two counts of first-degree criminal contempt means he will be sentenced as a prior felony offender at his Dec. 23 sentencing.

He is incarcerated in lieu of $250,000 cash bail in the Suffolk County jail.