DATE: June 10, 2022
CASE: Michael Dwyer (Case #16FE013953)
PROSECUTOR: Deputy District Attorney Stephanie Maroun, Domestic Violence Unit
Michael Dwyer was convicted by a jury of kidnapping, kidnapping for carjacking, domestic violence, evading an officer with willful disregard, and making terrorist threats.
Dwyer and the victim were estranged. On July 15, 2016, the victim opened her garage door and Dwyer immediately rushed into the garage. Dwyer punched the victim in the head, took her phone, duct taped her mouth shut, and tied her hands with zip ties. He forced her back into her house and threatened to kill her, her children, and her parents. Dwyer then threw the victim in the trunk of her car and drove her to his residence. While tied up in the trunk, the victim pressed random buttons on her iWatch until she got a hold of someone who called 911. Officers were not able to find the victim since Dwyer had taken her to his residence. At the house, Dwyer forced the victim into his bathtub, tied her legs with zip ties, and water boarded her because he wanted her to admit she was having an affair. He also showed her a curling iron and told her he would stick it inside of her and burn her. After begging Dwyer to loosen the ties on her hands, he cut the ties on her hands, but tied her to a chair. He then swallowed a cupful of pills. When Dwyer passed out, the victim was able to cut the zip ties off and get her phone before running out of the house. Officers saw the victim running down the street with no shoes and duct tape still around her neck. Before officers could get all the information from the victim, Dwyer pulled out of his garage in the victim’s car and fled. Officers chased Dwyer who was speeding in excess of 100mph while running red lights and stop signs. The pursuit ended when Dwyer lost control of the victim’s car. The Sacramento Police Department, Elk Grove Police Department and CHP all worked together to investigate this case.
Dwyer faces a maximum sentence of 18 years and 8 months to life in prison. Sentencing is set for July 6, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. in Department 20 before the Honorable Michael Sweet.
