WALTERBORO, SC (Thursday, June 3, 2021) – A Walterboro man has been found guilty of three charges for assaulting his former girlfriend after breaking into her home.
A Colleton County General Sessions Court jury found 36-year-old Walter Alexander Palacios guilty of assault with intent to commit sexual assault, domestic violence of a high and violent nature, and first-degree burglary. He received 18 years in prison on each of the three charges. The sentences are to be served concurrently.
Palacios must also register as a sex offender.
“This brutal assault took place long after Walter Palacios should have been out of the victim’s life,” said 14th Circuit Assistant Solicitor Julie Kate Keeney, who prosecuted the case. “This sentence ensures he won’t have a chance to prey on this victim or anyone else for quite some time.”
In November 2019, Palacios broke into the home of his former girlfriend, hit her and cut her with a knife several times, and attempted to sexually assault her. They had previously lived together but broke up months before the attack.
Keeney called six witnesses during two days of testimony. Assistant Solicitor Ceth Utsey assisted her during the trial.
Circuit Court Judge DeAndra Benjamin handed down the sentence and also issued a 30-year restraining order prohibiting Palacios from making contact with the victim.
Keeney is a member of the 14th Circuit Solicitor’s Office Special Victims Unit. The team prosecutes cases involving sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse and other crimes against vulnerable people.
