CONFUSION REIGNS IN VARGAS' ARREST.Byline: Michael Rosenthal Staff Writer Fernando Vargas Fernando Vargas (born December 7, 1977 in Oxnard, California) is an American boxer and two-time world champion, who won a bronze medal as an amateur at the 1995 Pan American Games in Mar del Plata. His nicknames include "Ferocious" and "The Aztec Warrior". , the IBF IBF See: International Banking Facility junior middleweight junior middleweight n. In both senses also called super welterweight. 1. A weight division in professional boxing having an upper limit of 154 pounds (69.3 kilograms), between welterweight and middleweight. 2. champion, was arrested early Sunday for assault, but those close to him say he was the victim. Vargas and four companions were booked for assault with a deadly weapon Assault with a Deadly Weapon is the term used to describe the act of threatening to harm one or more people by using a weapon (usually a firearm). Here, assault must be differentiated from battery as they are often confused. Assault is threatening to use force. , conspiracy to commit a crime and burglary. According to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Santa Barbara Santa Barbara (săn'tə bär`brə, –bərə), city (1990 pop. 85,571), seat of Santa Barbara co., S Calif., on the Pacific Ocean; inc. 1850. County sheriff's Sgt. Bill Turner William R. "Bill" Turner (born February 18, 1944) is an American 6'7" retired American professional National Basketball Association player. Turner played college basketball at University of Akron. , the four allegedly forced their way into a home near Santa Barbara and beat 23-year-old Doug Rossi with blunt objects. The fighter's representatives claim he was beaten by two men and was merely defending himself. ``He would never do something like that,'' said Shelly Finkel, Vargas' co-manager. ``This is over a girl. The whole thing is silly.'' The incident unfolded this way, according to the police report: Vargas, 21, was visiting a woman when, at about 4 a.m., another man - whose name is being withheld by police - arrived unannounced to see the woman. The two argued and began to fight. Rossi, who was in the house, then jumped in to break up the fight and the unidentified man left. Vargas' companions arrived at about 5 a.m., forced their way into a room occupied by Rossi and a female companion and beat him up. He was treated and released at Cottage Hospital The original concept of a cottage hospital was a small rural hospital having up to 25 beds. One advantage of such a hospital in villages was the familiarity the local physician might have with their patient that may affect their treatment. in Santa Barbara. It's not clear whether Vargas took part in the beating. The suspects were apprehended by deputies about six miles from the home as they drove in Vargas' car on the Ventura Freeway The Ventura Freeway is a freeway in southern California running from Ventura to Pasadena. It is the principal east-west route through Ventura County and in the southern San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County. . They were identified at the scene of the traffic stop by the women who were in the house. ``I had heard that the suspects were upset with Rossi because Rossi apparently had let the (unidentified) guy into the house,'' Turner said. Vargas' people tell a different story. They say he was beaten by two men - it's not clear whether Rossi was one of them - before his companions arrived. Police confirmed that Vargas suffered injuries to his head and back, although none were serious. ``They turned the whole thing around,'' said Fernando Flores Carlos Fernando Flores Labra (born January 9, 1943) is a Chilean engineer, philosopher, entrepreneur and politician. He is a former cabinet minister of president Salvador Allende and is currently senator for the Tarapacá Region. Biography Flores was born in Talca, Chile. , a friend of Vargas' and the older brother of Freddie Flores Flores, town, Guatemala Flores (flōrəs), town (1990 est. pop. 2,200), capital of Petén department, N Guatemala. Flores was built on an island in the southern part of Lake Petén Itzá and on the site of the , one of those arrested. ``They beat up Fernando, they jumped him, they hit him with metal bars,'' said Flores, to whom Freddie Flores related what had happened. ``The cops have a picture of Fernando's back. He's all marked up and everything. . . ``All I know is (his friends) got there and found Fernando beaten. Like any friend, they tried to get the guys who did it.'' The unidentified man had yet to be interviewed in depth by police as of late Monday afternoon. Turner said neither he nor Rossi are suspects but that the investigation is ongoing. ``The (unidentified) guy obviously was involved in an altercation with Vargas,'' Turner said. ``I can't speak for the investigators, but obviously we want to talk to him about his involvement.'' Vargas' representatives are convinced he will be vindicated. ``In fact, Mr. Vargas was the victim of an assault by two individuals and merely took action to defend himself,'' Gregory W. Moreno, Vargas' attorney, said in a written statement. ``We are convinced that this charge will quickly be rectified by the authorities.'' Vargas, a 1996 Olympian, is emerging as a star in boxing. He became the youngest fighter to win a major junior middleweight title - five days after he turned 21 - when he knocked out Yory ``Boy'' Campas in December. He has successfully defended his belt twice, the last time stopping Raul Marquez on July 17. Vargas also recently had signed an endorsement contract with Miller Brewing Co. and was negotiating for other lucrative deals. Rolando Arellano, Vargas' co-manager, said the fighter - who has only a speeding ticket Ask a Lawyer Question Country: United States of America State: Ohio I was traveling on a two lane street with an officer driving toward me in the opposite direction. on his record - is ``devastated'' over this incident. ``He's at the peak of his career,'' Fernando Flores said. ``Why would he want to jeopardize his career? He has too much to lose to be gambling like that. I know Fernando better than that. ``He's a good person, very friendly, not the type of person who goes around picking fights. That's why I was shocked when I heard this.'' The suspects face a maximum penalty of four years in state prison for assault with a deadly weapon. VARGAS FILE Record: 17-0, 17 knockouts Career highlights: Member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team, defeated in quarterfinals. . . . Became the youngest to win a junior middleweight championship when he knocked out IBF titleholder ti·tle·hold·er n. 1. One, especially a champion, who holds a title. 2. One that holds legal title to something, such as a motor vehicle. Yory ``Boy'' Campas in December 1998. He has successfully defended the title twice. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color) IBF junior middleweight champ Fernando Vargas was arrested Sunday in Santa Barbara. B. Vartan Boyajian/Associated Press |
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