Mifflintown man accused of strangling woman, fleeing

Police say suspect took victim\'s car, attempted escape

MIFFLINTOWN -- A 50-year-old man is facing multiple felony charges after Pennsylvania State Police said he assaulted and strangled a woman, took her vehicle without permission and later attempted to flee while being transported to the Juniata County Jail.

Jason Agosto-Castro, of Mifflintown, was charged with felony strangulation, misdemeanor simple assault, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and summary harassment following a reported domestic assault July 17 at an apartment on Main Street in Mifflintown. According to the criminal complaint, Agosto-Castro had been drinking alcohol and using cocaine before an argument escalated into a physical assault. The victim alleged he repeatedly slapped and struck her in the head and face, wrapped both hands around her neck, impeded her breathing and at one point held a pillow over her face. Troopers observed injuries that were documented with body-worn cameras, according to the affidavit.

Police said the victim also reported Agosto-Castro fled the scene in her 1995 Chrysler Concorde without permission because his driver’s license was suspended. Troopers searched the area but were unable to locate him.

According to a separate criminal complaint, Agosto-Castro was taken into custody the following day on the felony charges. While being escorted from the Pennsylvania State Police Lewistown station to a patrol vehicle for transport to Mifflin County Correctional Facility, he allegedly attempted to flee on foot before being subdued and placed in the patrol vehicle. He was subsequently charged with felony escape.

Court records show bail was set at $35,000 on the domestic violence-related charges and $60,000 on the escape charge. Agosto-Castro remained in Mifflin County Correctional Facility after failing to post bail. Preliminary hearings in both cases are scheduled for Aug. 26 before Magisterial District Judge Tracy L. Powell.