A Canyon Lake man was sentenced to 35 years in prison for hitting a woman in the head with a blunt object when she tried to call 911 in May 2024.
Justin Woodling, 43, who was on parole at the time, pled guilty to assault family violence with a previous conviction and was sentenced by visiting Judge Robert Updegrove, according to the Comal District Attorney’s Office.
In a statement Tuesday, the DA’s office said the Canyon Lake man has a long and well-documented history of violence against women and drugs. A sentencing date was not provided.
The court also entered an affirmative finding that Woodling’s offense involved family violence.
The case was investigated by the Comal County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) and prosecuted by Chief Felony Prosecutor Sammy McCrary on behalf of the State of Texas with the assistance of Assistant District Attorney Somerset Peterson.
On May 30, 2024, CCSO deputies responded to a physical-disturbance call. Upon arrival, deputies found a woman outside bleeding with injuries to her face and chest.
She said Woodling struck her in the head with a blunt object when she tried to call 911.
The victim also told officers Woodling threatened to intentionally harm himself and falsely blame her. The man told officers she inflicted the wound on herself, alleging a history of self-harm.
In March, County Court at Law Judge Charles Stephens granted the woman a lifetime protective order against Woodling.
During the protective order hearing, the state presented multiple exhibits including affidavits from two prior victims.
Woodling’s ex-spouse reported in 2009, while living in Oklahoma, he placed his hands around her neck during an argument and choked her until she lost consciousness.
Woodling was arrested for strangulation, but charges were later reduced to domestic assault and battery, and he was placed on deferred adjudication for one year.
In 2013, the same victim filed for a protective order. Woodling was in and out of prison, sending her voice mails and texting messages threatening to harm her and her family after she ended their relationship.
Within a seven-minute period Woodling sent her 313 voice text messages, including “I am 2 seconds away right now. You are going to face this (expletive)” and “I’m going to punch your teeth out.”
The Canyon Lake man also reportedly broke into his mother’s home. His other victim suspected he tampered with her vehicle by cutting wires to the cooling fan.
Woodling served a prison sentence in Oklahoma for manufacturing-controlled substances and seven-year prison term in Texas for continuous violation of conditions of bond or protective order.
He also had additional felony convictions for domestic abuse–assault and battery, continuous violation of conditions of bond or protective order, and manufacture of a controlled dangerous substance (CDS)/possession of materials with intent to manufacture.
