NEW HANOVER COUNTY — 26-year-old Isaac Mateo Ruiz, an active duty Marine at Camp Lejeune, has been charged with assault by strangulation, assault inflicting serious bodily injury, and first-degree burglary after attacking 22-year-old Savannah Johnson.
An arrest warrant was issued on Tuesday June 24, Ruiz was detained the following day. His first court appearance was Thursday, where bond was set at $1 million.
If secured, Ruiz’s release would be contingent on having zero contact with Johnson or her family and agreeing to electronic monitoring. While on house arrest the only permissible reasons to leave are attorney visits, court, or medical reasons. Ruiz is currently being held at the NHCSO Detention Facility as he awaits his hearing on July 16 at 9 am.
Port City Daily reached out to the Wilmington Police Department with further questions about the arrest and were told WPD could not comment as the case is ongoing.
Ruiz is the second individual to be arrested in relation to Johnson’s assault. 27-year-old Dillon Garza was issued an arrest warrant on June 15 for offenses of assault by strangulation and assault serious bodily injury. The charges were dismissed June 19 by the district court due to insufficient evidence and a supported alibi.
Originally from Michigan, Johnson was staying at a home on Talon Court at the time of the attack, according to WPD. She suffered from fractures in her neck and back, vertebral artery dissection, and a narrowing of her carotid artery.
In a Spotfund fundraiser organized by Johnson’s family and friends, it says she has struggled breathing, has had fluid in her lungs, relied on a ventilator, and has undergone a five-hour surgery. The fundraiser aims to help cover medical, travel, and legal costs the family now faces. Her parents have traveled to Wilmington to be with their daughter and are described as “heartsick over what happened.”
Ricky Johnson, the victim’s father, told Port City Daily the family has no comment at this time as they are “focusing all of our energy on Savannah and her healing journey.”
At the time of press Port City Daily, has not received a response from the United States Marine Corps regarding the case.
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