Austin man pleads not guilty to assault, drug charges

Published 7:10 am Friday, April 9, 2010

An Austin man accused of attacking two men at an Austin club last week, then being caught with cocaine after his arrest, pleaded not guilty to assault and drug charges Thursday.

Alfonso Almanza, 30, faces one count each of felony third-degree assault and felony fifth-degree drug possession. He also faces a lesser fifth-degree assault charge. His next court date has not been set.

According to a criminal complaint, police were called to the downtown Cosmos 2000 club on March 28 at around 1 a.m. on an assault call. When officers arrived, they spoke with a 26-year-old man, who had a swollen right cheek.

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The man said he was attacked by a Hispanic male, standing about 5-feet-11-inches tall and wearing a Twins baseball cap. Another man, 27, said he too was attacked by the suspect, the complaint states.

The 27-year-old man said the man punched him, kicked him in the genitals, then stomped on his ankle while on the ground.

Police learned that a man matching the identification given by both alleged victims lived at a residence located at 1009 10th Ave. SW. When officers arrived, they found Almanza in the yard. He told police that he had been at the club earlier but had left before a fight broke out, the complaint states. Almanza was then arrested and taken to jail for questioning, which he protested verbally.

While being booked, police found 0.3 grams of cocaine on Almanza, the complaint states.

The 26-year-old man, who suffered facial cuts and bruising, and the 27-year-old man, who suffered bruising and a fractured fibula, were both taken to the hospital. Police showed them a photograph of Almanza after he was arrested, and both alleged victims said he was the attacker.