A dentist in Louisiana accused of attacking and strangling a woman until she lost consciousness pleaded guilty on August 3 to multiple felony charges, according to multiple news reports published August 3.
The trial for Dr. John Allen Russ, 39, of Shreveport, LA, was scheduled to begin on August 3 when he pleaded guilty to domestic abuse battery with serious bodily injury, domestic abuse battery by strangulation, and domestic battery with child endangerment, according to the stories.
Russ, of the now-closed Russ Dentistry in Shreveport, was taken into custody after pleading guilty. He faces a maximum penalty of up to 17 years in prison. His sentencing is scheduled for October.
In May 2024 at a residence that Russ and a woman shared, he became enraged and attacked her. Russ reportedly pulled the woman from a bed and forced her against a door while strangling her. He purportedly lifted her up by the neck, preventing her from breathing, according to the stories.
The woman feared for her life. She broke free from Russ, but he allegedly grabbed her by the head and slammed her into a dresser. The woman lost consciousness. When she woke up, she was bleeding from her forehead. Two children under the age of 13 were inside the residence during the incident.
During the investigation, police learned that Russ reportedly committed other violent acts against the woman, but she was too scared to report them, according to the stories.
A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
