Luis A. Cruz, 36, Minot, will serve about three years in prison for strangling his girlfriend into unconsciousness during a domestic altercation on Jan. 7.

Cruz pleaded guilty on Wednesday to one count of Class C felony aggravated assault – domestic violence.

Court records show that Judge Todd Cresap sentenced him to a total of five years in prison, with a requirement that he serve the three years, and two years of supervised probation. Cruz was also ordered to have no contact with the victim, to complete a course for domestic violence offenders, and to pay $1,100 in court costs.