A Rock Springs man accused of holding his girlfriend captive for days, cutting her with a razor blade, stabbing her with a kitchen fork and threatening to kill her is being held on a six-figure bond.
Jake Thomas Canestrini, 24, made his initial appearance Thursday afternoon in Sweetwater County Circuit Court, where he was charged with a handful of felonies, including kidnapping, three counts of aggravated assault and battery with a deadly weapon, strangulation of a household member, interference with a peace officer, three counts of domestic battery and cruelty to animals.
Court records show bond was set at $300,000 cash or surety, or $100,000 cash-only.
Parents Leave Town
The alleged abuse began after the victim's parents left town on May 30, according to an affidavit written by Rock Springs Police Officer Tiffany Harris.
The victim and Canestrini had been in a relationship for about three years and were living together at her parents' home in Rock Springs.
Shortly after her parents left, Canestrini allegedly threw her to the ground multiple times and prevented her from leaving the residence, the affidavit says.
"Canestrini held her on the ground for several hours and continued to hit her on the head," Harris wrote.
Every time the woman tried to get up and run, "Canestrini would yank her by the hair to keep her down," according to the affidavit.
On June 2, Canestrini allegedly called the woman's employer and told them she would not be coming to work.
Razor Blade, Fork And Knife
The victim described a series of assaults involving household items that investigators later sought when executing a search warrant at the home.
According to court records, Canestrini reportedly used a razor blade to make cuts on her thighs, hips, stomach, and arm. She also reported being stabbed in the upper back and "butt cheek" with a kitchen fork.
The alleged victim told investigators that during one confrontation, Canestrini held a kitchen knife against her throat while threatening to kill her.
"I will f***ing murder you," he allegedly told her.
At one point during the ordeal, Canestrini reportedly told the woman he loved her and "did not want to do this but because she was being a bitch to him, she deserved the punishment,” the affidavit says.
Extensive Injuries
The victim told investigators he also threatened her family and pet.
"I will murder your cat. I will murder your f***ing family if you get the cops involved,” he allegedly said, according to the affidavit. "I will wait 20 years so I can kill you."
Court records indicate Canestrini reportedly strangled the woman multiple times during the ordeal. She told investigators there were times she could not breathe and feared for her life.
Medical records cited in the affidavit indicate a physician later advised her she had suffered a concussion.
Investigators documented bruising across much of the woman's body. Photographs attached to the case file show injuries to her face, arms, shoulders, legs, and knees, along with dried blood on her lips.
Other photographs show razor-blade cuts on her stomach, thighs and hips; puncture wounds allegedly caused by a fork and long scratches running down her back, the affidavit says.
The victim told investigators she was eventually able to escape only after waiting for Canestrini to fall asleep.
Animal Cruelty
The cruelty to animals charge stems from allegations involving the woman's cat.
According to court documents, she reported Canestrini picked up the cat and was "squeezing the f*** out of him."
When the cat cried out in pain, she reportedly begged him to stop.
Canestrini responded by "picking the cat up by the throat and slamming it to the floor," according to the affidavit.
The woman told investigators he then said, "I will treat this cat however the f*** I want."
Search Warrant
Before investigators arrived to execute a search warrant at the residence, neighbors reported seeing Canestrini leave the area on foot carrying a duffle bag, the affidavit says.
When detectives searched the home, they recovered a kitchen fork, a knife and items believed to contain blood evidence. The affidavit notes detectives detected a strong odor of bleach in one of the bathrooms.
On Tuesday, a detective reportedly spotted Canestrini riding in a vehicle registered to his father. During a traffic stop, Canestrini identified himself and was taken into custody that day.
Canestrini remains jailed pending a Wednesday preliminary hearing in Sweetwater County Circuit Court.
He is represented by Rock Springs attorney Joseph August Hampton.
If convicted of kidnapping, Canestrini could face 20 years to life in prison under Wyoming law, while the aggravated assault charges carrying potential penalties of up to 10 years each.
Kolby Fedore can be reached at kolby@cowboystatedaily.com.
