Man Accused Of Beating, Sexually Assaulting Girlfriend Surrenders
WASHINGTON, Pa. (KDKA) -- A man accused of beating up and sexually assaulting his girlfriend has surrendered to authorities.
John Gallo, 40, was arraigned Friday on charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, kidnapping, unlawful restraint and rape.
Gallo eluded authorities for almost two weeks until talking to his mother, who convinced him to surrender.
"We just talked to him," his mother, Judy Ward, said. "I got to talk to the lawyer and he agreed if the lawyer would meet him there and everything, then he would turn himself in. So he did."
He allegedly forced his estranged girlfriend into a car at a motel and drove around threatening to kill her. He also allegedly raped her in a motel room last month.
After forcing her into the car again, she jumped out of the vehicle on Route 40 east.
But Gallo's mother says he was actually just helping the woman get out of an abusive situation.
"Her mom and her niece called my son crying, would they please go help her and get her," Ward said. "That's what he did."
Ward also said the woman has serious mental problems and that she has evidence that proves that her son is innocent.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Gallo next week and his alleged victim is expected to testify.
Gallo is now in the Washington County Jail on $250,000 bond.
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