Defendant Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for the Brutal Assault of Pregnant Ex-Girlfriend

Brighton, CO – Today, District Attorney Brian Mason is announcing the 30-year Department of Corrections sentence for Tomas Bandera, 39, following his guilty plea to and sentencing for First-Degree Assault – Causing Serious Bodily Injury with a Deadly Weapon as an act of domestic violence.    

On May 26, 2023, the Adams County Sheriff’s Office was called to a home along Coronado Parkway in response to an incident of domestic violence. Bandera brutally assaulted his pregnant ex-girlfriend. The defendant kicked, punched, slashed, and stabbed her repeatedly. Bandera also beat her with furniture before stealing her stepmother’s vehicle and calling the police on himself. He was later apprehended after leading police on a high-speed chase.  

The victim was six months pregnant at the time, and the assault caused a premature delivery of her baby. The victim sustained broken bones, lacerations to various parts of her body, her head was split open, and nerves were cut in her face causing a permanent droop on one side. She underwent surgery to repair the damage but still deals with the lasting and, in some cases, permanent impacts of this attack. The baby survived despite the premature birth.  

Bandera was on domestic violence probation for a prior misdemeanor assault of the victim in this case, but he continued to stalk her and ultimately violated the conditions of the protection order by visiting her home. The victim supported the release of information on this case in the hopes that her story would resonate with and help other survivors of domestic violence.  

On June 26, 2024, Bandera pleaded guilty to First-Degree Assault – Causing Serious Bodily Injury with a Deadly Weapon (Domestic Violence), and on August 20, 2024, Adams County District Court Judge Patrick Pugh sentenced the defendant to 30 years in the Department of Corrections.  

“This case shocks the conscience,” said District Attorney Brian Mason. “The defendant brutally assaulted his pregnant ex-girlfriend and very nearly caused her death and the death of her unborn child. I’m truly grateful that the mother and the baby survived, and that this defendant will spend a significant amount of time in prison for this horrific crime.” 

Chief Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Fritts and Senior Deputy District Attorney Shannon Elwell prosecuted this case. 

Resources and information for survivors of domestic violence are available inside this link, https://adamsbroomfieldda.org/Sexual-Violence-and-Domestic-Violence.   

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