A Hailey man suspected of being an illegal immigrant was formally charged Thursday with aggravated battery, a felony, for allegedly stabbing his girlfriend in the stomach Sunday morning in the Woodside area of Hailey.
Albert Romero-Torres, 20, made an initial appearance Thursday morning in Blaine County Magistrate Court following his arrest by Hailey police on Wednesday. Police Chief Jeff Gunter said Romero-Torres voluntarily surrendered.
"He came in to visit us when his friends told him there was a warrant out for his arrest," Gunter said.
The warrant was issued Monday following an incident early Sunday morning when Romero-Torres allegedly stabbed his girlfriend during an argument at the Balmoral Apartments. Romero-Torres also allegedly slashed the woman with a knife in the left arm. Gunter said the woman was treated and released later Sunday at St. Luke's Wood River Medical Center.
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In court Thursday, Romero-Torres was also charged with a sentence enhancement count for alleged use of a deadly weapon in the commission of a crime.
A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Wednesday, March 30. The Roark Law Firm in Hailey was appointed public defender.
Romero-Torres remained incarcerated Thursday on $75,000 bond in the Blaine County jail. An immigration detainer filed by the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency accuses him of being in the United States illegally.
Terry Smith: tsmith@mtexpress.com