Sergio I. Zepeda-Cervantes, 32, of St. John, has been charged in Lake Superior Court following a St. John Police Department investigation into allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault stemming from an incident in June.

According to court documents, the investigation began after a woman reported she had been sexually assaulted and sought medical treatment several days after the alleged incident. During a formal interview, the woman told investigators she and Zepeda-Cervantes had attended a house party before returning to a residence in St. John, where an argument escalated over text messages she had exchanged with another man.

Court documents allege that during the argument, Zepeda-Cervantes became increasingly angry before allegedly strangling the woman until she lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she discovered she had suffered significant injuries and was bleeding. Investigators said she later photographed her injuries and eventually contacted a family member for help after leaving the residence.

According to court records, investigators allege Zepeda-Cervantes also prevented the woman from immediately leaving the residence by grabbing her arm before eventually letting her go after another person intervened.

Police said the woman continued experiencing pain and bleeding in the days following the incident before seeking medical treatment and reporting the alleged assault to authorities. Investigators collected physical evidence, reviewed medical records, examined surveillance video from the residence, and obtained text messages sent after the alleged incident.

According to court documents, investigators also interviewed Zepeda-Cervantes, who acknowledged arguing with the woman that evening but claimed he remembered little after returning home because he had been drinking. Court records state he admitted the woman later told him he had injured her and acknowledged previously choking her during another encounter. Investigators also allege he admitted preventing her from leaving the residence by grabbing her arm. Court documents further state Zepeda-Cervantes later sent text messages asking whether he had hurt the woman and apologizing for doing so.

Lodged in the Lake County Jail.

Charges filed July 17, 2026:

Rape — Level 3 Felony (2 counts)

Criminal Confinement Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury — Level 3 Felony

Domestic Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury — Level 5 Felony

Strangulation — Level 6 Felony

Domestic Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury — Level 6 Felony

Domestic Battery — Class A Misdemeanor