A Jacksonville man entered an Alford plea to felony assault by strangulation in Onslow County Superior Court, according to online records.
Christopher Ryan Ciafardini, 46, entered an Alford plea, meaning he is treated as guilty without admitting the underlying conduct.
Ciafardini was originally charged with the following:
Felony assault by strangulation Misdemeanor assault on a female Misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
The September 2025 warrant alleges that Ciafardini grabbed a woman by the neck, causing bruising, loss of vision and difficulty breathing.
According to the plea transcription, Ciafardini received an active sentence of 9 to 20 months for the assault by strangulation charge. The plea transcription also states that he also entered an Alford plea to possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine in a separate case and received a consecutive suspended sentence of 9 to 20 months, with probation terms to be set by the court.
The assault on a female and domestic violence charges were dismissed, according to the plea transcription. Court records show drug manufacturing, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for a controlled substance and drug paraphernalia charges in the separate case were also dismissed.