New Bedford Man Sent Back to Prison After Allegedly Assaulting Girlfriend

A New Bedford man who was recently released from prison was sent back for up to four years after violating the terms of his probation following an alleged attack on his girlfriend.

According to the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office, Eliezer Cruz, 32, was arrested on January 16, just 23 days after he was released from state prison on firearms-related charges. The D.A.’s Office says Cruz allegedly slammed his girlfriend’s head into a bathroom door, and later allegedly pushed her onto a bed, threw a phone in her face, waved a knife in the air, and choked her.

At the time of his arrest, he was on probation after serving a five-year sentence after being convicted of “waving and cocking an illegal firearm at two victims in Haverhill while their five-month-old child was in the car,” the D.A.’s Office said.

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Prosecutors say after his arrest for the assault on his girlfriend, Cruz immediately began contacting the victim from jail in an attempt to convince her to recant her story.

He was indicted on charges of aggravated assault and battery, assault with a dangerous weapon, aggravated assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, threat to commit a crime, suborn perjury, criminal contempt and witness intimidation. The case remains open.

“Just 23 days after being released from prison for committing a very serious crime, the defendant smashed his girlfriend's head against a door and assaulted her with a knife,” District Attorney Thomas M. Quinn III said. “He is a very violent individual who simply cannot behave in a civilized way. By his own actions, he has clearly demonstrated that he is a danger to society and must be kept off the street.”