Merced man released early from prison accused of choking girlfriend

A convicted felon was booked into Merced County Jail early Thursday morning after allegedly strangling and threatening to kill his live-in girlfriend, police reported.

After receiving a 911 call reporting an aggravated assault, Merced police responded to the home of Gregory Ferguson, 44, and his girlfriend. The woman’s name was withheld because she is a victim of domestic violence.

Merced police Capt. Matt Williams said the couple allegedly began arguing when the woman knocked over some rocks that rolled down a stairwell and hit Ferguson in the ankle.

After an argument over the rocks, Ferguson allegedly pinned the woman against the living room couch and strangled her until she was nearly unconscious, police said. When Ferguson saw she was about to pass out, he loosened his grip until she came to, police said.

After she came to, Ferguson again attempted to strangle her, telling her he was going to kill her. He reportedly quit strangling her when he saw headlights from a car pulling up to the home.

“We normally don’t report on domestic violence cases, but in this instance the guy choked her until she was almost unconscious,” Williams said. “It was a pretty serious domestic violence case, and he does have a semi-extensive rap sheet.”

Ferguson was released early from state prison within the last year because of AB 109, which allows inmates early release after serving time for non-serious, nonviolent or low-risk offenses, police said.

Ferguson has spent time in Merced County Jail in the past for various offenses, including gun and drug charges, booking records show.

He remained in jail Thursday on $30,000 bond on suspicion of aggravated assault.

This story was originally published June 9, 2016 at 10:13 AM with the headline "Merced man released early from prison accused of choking girlfriend."