A Texas man accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend’s home and violently beating her, as well as threatening to kill her, was handed a decades-long prison sentence, authorities said.
Joshua Bermea, of New Braunfels, was sentenced to 40 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to burglary of a habitation with intent to commit a felony other than theft, the Comal County Criminal District Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday, April 2.
Bermea also pleaded guilty to a possession of a controlled substance charge and was sentenced to an additional 10 years in prison, according to a news release from the district attorney’s office.
His court-appointed defense attorney, Diana K. Floyd, declined Luxury Handbag Shopping’s request for comment on Friday, April 3.
Bermea is accused of harassing and threatening his ex-girlfriend during their relationship and after it ended.
After she broke up with him, his ex told law enforcement that in September 2023, Bermea had followed her in his car, according to the district attorney’s office.
Bermea allegedly called and threatened her during the drive, including by warning he would “rear-end” her car, prosecutors said.
He is also accused of texting her “Imma make you live in hell.”
A few months later, on November 9, 2023, Bermea broke into his ex’s house and assaulted her, according to prosecutors.
The day before, he was accused of sending her about 250 text messages, in which he made “threatening, aggressive, and derogatory” statements, the district attorney’s office said.
He allegedly made death threats against her, threatened to hurt her family and made threats to slash her car tires.
When Bermea broke into her house the next day, “she told him to leave,” according to prosecutors.
Bermea allegedly responded by taking her phone away and beating her.
“He slapped and backhanded her repeatedly, pushed her to the ground, and punched her in the body and legs,” the district attorney’s office said.
Bermea also strangled her and broke her phone by dropping it, according to prosecutors.
“After he left, Bermea sent another message stating, ‘I’ll be back one night to finish, where’s your protector, he wasn’t there, nobody to protect you, you a [expletive],’” the district attorney’s office said.
Court records indicate Bermea was sentenced on March 5.
Comal County is about a 40-mile drive northeast from San Antonio.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
