April court proceedings advanced criminal prosecution of a man Beaumont Police Department (BPD) officers allege terrorized his estranged wife and children Feb. 17. When BPD responded to Christus Health on Feb. 17, officers reportedly encountered a victim complaining that her estranged husband assaulted her and threatened her with a gun while her children were inside the home.
According to the probable cause affidavit for the arrest of 36-year-old Christian Montiel, his estranged wife returned to her home at 12:50 a.m. and found Montiel inside, despite him not being a resident. An argument ensued. The victim told police the couple had been separated since May 2025.
The victim reported that Montiel wrapped both hands around her neck, applied pressure, and forced her onto a bed, causing her to have difficulty breathing. She said she was able to escape to the floor, at which point the assailant grabbed her hair and repeatedly struck her in the face with an open hand.
During the assault, Montiel allegedly retrieved a black .45 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun from a dresser, manipulated the slide, pointed the firearm at the victim’s face, and said, “I could kill you right now,” before tapping the firearm on the top of her head.
The victim told officers she then curled into a defensive position while the suspect continued the assault, kicking her and taking her phone, preventing any call for help.
The victim said she was able to escape with her children and contact 911 while driving to the hospital.
Law enforcement reported observing hand impressions on the victim’s hands and neck, swelling to her hand, and signs consistent with strangulation. According to the probable cause affidavit used to secure Montiel’s prosecution, the victim suffered a displaced fracture at the base of her left pinky finger, constituting serious bodily injury.
Sworn statements from the BPD investigator indicate a neighbor corroborated the suspect’s presence at the residence around the time of the offense.
Montiel was indicted on a second-degree felony charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by a Jefferson County grand jury April 1.