CROWN POINT — A Schererville domestic violence case that began with reports of a woman being choked inside an apartment has ended with the defendant receiving the maximum 16-year sentence for a Level 3 felony.

Lake County Prosecutor Bernard A. Carter announced that James Thomas Spriggs was sentenced to 16 years after pleading guilty to aggravated battery, a Level 3 felony, as part of a plea agreement.

The case stems from a Feb. 25, 2023, incident at an apartment in Schererville.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Schererville Police were dispatched to the apartment after receiving reports that a woman was being beaten and possibly choked by her boyfriend.

When officers arrived, they repeatedly knocked on the apartment door but initially received no response. The woman eventually came out crying and told officers that Spriggs had attacked her, according to the affidavit.

Police reported seeing bruising on the left side of her neck that appeared consistent with being strangled. The woman told investigators Spriggs had grabbed her by the throat and continued holding her despite her attempts to get away. She reported having difficulty breathing and told police she believed she was going to die, according to the affidavit.

Investigators also spoke with several people who said they had been in contact with the woman during the incident. One witness reported receiving a phone call during which she could hear screaming and the woman gasping for air. Another told investigators she heard the woman screaming for Spriggs to stop and saying she could not breathe.

The affidavit states Spriggs initially refused officers’ orders to leave the apartment and was later taken into custody. Police said he was on probation in Lake County at the time for a prior strangulation and domestic battery conviction involving a different victim.

Spriggs ultimately pleaded guilty to aggravated battery. The court imposed a 16-year sentence, which prosecutors said is the maximum allowed for the offense.

“Domestic violence can have devastating and lasting consequences for victims and their families,” Carter said. “Today’s sentence reflects the seriousness of this offense. Our office will continue to work with law enforcement and our community partners to hold offenders accountable and to support victims throughout the criminal justice process.”

Carter credited Deputy Prosecuting Attorney Jessica Woodward with prosecuting the case and Victim/Witness Assistant Caitlin Dziewicki with assisting the victim. He also thanked the Schererville Police Department and the officers involved in the investigation.