Middletown Man Pleads Guilty to Assaulting His Girlfriend and Two Cops

A Middletown man faces 14 years in prison under the state's No Early Release Act after pleading guilty to assaulting his girlfriend and two police officers during a violent domestic rampage last spring.The Monmouth County Prosecutors Office says 38-year-old Gregory Canova pled guilty to second degree aggravated assault and second degree aggravated assault by eluding in a Freehold courtroom Monday.

The charges stem from a March 25, 2012 incident where Canova allegedly struck his girlfriend's car several times on Highway 71 in Sea Girt. He also allegedly attempted to choke her earlier that day in Wall Township Motel room in front of their one-year old daughter.

In attempting to flee police, Canova also allegedly engaged in a violent struggle with an officer who was attempting to arrest him and struck the officer with his vehicle, dragging him several feet. He also allegedly struck the patrol car of a second officer pursuing him, resulting in another violent struggle and his arrest.

The first officer struck by Canova was transported to Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank and treated for leg and hand injuries. The second officer struck by Canova was also transported to Riverview Medical Center and treated by back, leg and knee injuries.

Canova's sentence has been scheduled for January 18th, 2013. He remains incarcerated in lieu of $882,500 cash only bail.