Five years in prison for man convicted of violence against ex-partner

Andrés Horacio Sánchez Mota will serve five years in prison after the Dominican Republic's Supreme Court of Justice reinstated his definitive sentence for gender and domestic violence against his former partner. The nation's highest court overturned an acquittal Sánchez Mota had received on appeal.

The judicial journey saw Sánchez Mota initially sentenced by the Third Collegiate Court of the National District. However, the Second Chamber of the Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeals of the National District acquitted him on August 28, 2025. The Public Ministry appealed this decision, leading the Supreme Court's Second Chamber to accept the appeal.

Through ruling SCJ-SS-26-0467 on March 31, 2026, the Supreme Court annulled the acquittal. Instead of ordering a new trial, the court directly declared Sánchez Mota guilty and reinstated the original five-year prison sentence, as confirmed by the Public Ministry.

The case stems from allegations of violence and threats against his ex-partner, which the prosecution stated were also disseminated via a video on digital platforms. The conflict became public knowledge around June 2024 when the ex-partner reported receiving threats and mentioned existing restraining orders. Relatives of Sánchez Mota presented a different account of violence involving both families during that period.

Despite public allegations, the Public Ministry emphasized that the final conviction specifically pertains to the acts of gender and domestic violence committed against his ex-partner. The sentence was based on articles 309-1, 309-2, and 309-3(g) of the former Dominican Penal Code. An arrest warrant was issued on May 18, 2026, after the sentence became final. Sánchez Mota eventually presented himself to the fugitive apprehension unit, where the warrant was executed.