Central Coast man charged with domestic violence that spanned years, Fresno sheriff says

A 52-year-old Cayucos man has been charged with multiple felonies for what law enforcement alleges was years of domestic violence.

The Fresno County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday said Jonathan Riester was arrested Jan. 4 in a trailer parked near the mountain community of Fish Camp. He was arraigned Jan. 9 on felony counts of domestic violence and false imprisonment with violence.

The situation was brought to the sheriff’s attention Dec. 18 after an injured woman flagged down a motorist on Highway 168 near Shaver Lake. She was driven into Shaver and dropped off at a business, where an employee noticed her injuries and contacted the sheriff’s office.

That woman told deputies she was staying in a travel trailer with a man — later identified as Riester — but had escaped and was fearing for her life when she stopped the motorist and asked to be taken to a safe place.

The woman later told detectives she had been in a verbal and physically abusive relationship with Riester for several years, primarily living in a travel trailer and moving to different locations, the sheriff’s office said. The abuse got progressively worse.

Riester “controlled every aspect of her life, held her captive and continuously beat her,” according to a statement from the sheriff’s office.

The woman was taken to the hospital for medical treatment and she received domestic violence services.

Riester’s bail was set at $35,000. He was expected in court for a preliminary hearing Jan. 20.

The sheriff’s office is asking that anyone with information contact Detective Markus Silva at 559-600-8225 or Crime Stoppers at 559-498-7867.

It also reminds residents that there are free services available for victims domestic violence through the county. A list of programs can be seen online at domesticshelters.org.