Geoffrey Paschel: ‘90 Day Fiancé’ star sentenced to 18 years for domestic violence crimes against fiancé
On February 3, prosecutors in the District Attorney’s Office for Knox County, Tennessee’s Domestic Violence Unit obtained an eighteen-year prison sentence against a former reality TV show star from Tennessee. Geoffrey Ian Paschel, 44, who starred in the “90 Day Fiancé” reality television show in 2020, was convicted of Aggravated Kidnapping, Domestic Assault, and Interference with Emergency Calls. Judge Kyle Hixson ordered Paschel to serve eighteen years in prison without the possibility of parole.
Paschel appeared on Season 4 of “90 Day Fiancé: Before the 90 Days,” which aired in 2020, according to Us magazine. He got engaged to Varya Malina on the show, but was not asked to attend the tell-all taping because of his legal issues, the magazine reported. ~ Fox 13 News, Memphis
In a two-day trial in October, Knox County Assistant District Attorneys told the jury that on June 9, 2019, officers with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call of a domestic disturbance in the Rocky Hill area of west Knoxville. When they arrived, the victim – Paschel’s fiancé – told officers that she had been assaulted in her home by Paschel. Paschel grabbed the victim by the neck and slammed her head against the wall several times.
“She was also thrown to the ground and dragged,” according to a previous statement from the Knox County D.A. as shared by MSN.
Paschel took the victim’s cell phone and would not allow her to leave the residence. She ultimately was able to flee to a neighbor’s house after Paschel fell asleep.
Officers noted a large, raised bruise on her forehead along with bruises and abrasions on her back, arms, and the inside of her lip. She was also diagnosed with a concussion.
At trial, Paschel testified that the victim’s bruises were self-inflicted; but the jury discredited his testimony and found him guilty-as-charged.
At yesterday’s sentencing hearing, prosecutors successfully argued that Paschel is a Range II Offender based on convictions out of Blount County for Possession with Intent to Sell a Schedule I Controlled Substance and Possession with Intent to Sell Schedule II Cocaine and two federal drug trafficking convictions out of the Eastern District of Texas.
Prosecutors also put on proof from this victim and Paschel’s ex-wife about several previous incidents of domestic violence committed by Paschel. Jail video was also presented in which Paschel asked individuals to take his children to the victim’s house in an attempt to convince her to ask the Court for leniency.
Paschel’s criminal history, which include prior convictions of possession with intent to sell a controlled substance, as well as two federal drug trafficking charges, played a part in his sentencing, according to the District Attorney’s office.
“With the sentence in this case, no other victims will be abused by this offender for a long time,” said DA Charme Allen.
An attorney for Paschel, Greg Isaacs, informed the media that “Geoffrey Paschel continues to maintain his innocence and intends to file a motion for a new trial in the very near future. Afterward, our firm intends to pursue an appeal on Geoffrey Paschel’s behalf.”
For more on the story, see the video accompanying this article.
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
(Geoffrey Paschel Mugshot: Image credit: Knox County Sheriff’s Office)
(Source: Office of the District Attorney, 6th Judicial District, Knox County, Tennessee)
~ Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today / Connect with Richard on Facebook and Twitter
