Rutherfordton Man Arrested on Felony Strangulation Charge

A man accused of choking a woman until her vision dimmed was brought before a judge days after his arrest, as newly filed warrants spell out graphic injury allegations and a strict court-ordered no-contact directive.

Court records show Zachary James Tavernia, 21, was seen by Judge Robert Martelle in Rutherford District Court following his Dec. 20 arrest on a felony charge of assault by strangulation. The case remains pending.

The arrest warrant alleges that Tavernia “unlawfully, willfully, and feloniously did assault Katheryn Bridges and inflict physical injury...by strangulation,” describing hemorrhaging to both eyes, bruising to the neck and throat, and a knot on the lower right jaw. The warrant states the alleged assault involved placing hands around the throat and applying pressure, cutting off the victim’s air supply, and causing her vision to dim.

A release order included with the electronic warrants contains a blunt directive: “You are not to have any contact, direct or indirect," with the victim.

Records indicate Tavernia was arrested by Deputy Logan Hudson of the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office.

Bond was set at $20,000 secured and posted on Dec. 22 through a professional surety. Court logs show the release order was modified that day. Counsel was appointed, and a probable cause hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7, 2026, at the Rutherford County Courthouse.