Havasu Man Faces Trial Just Days After Felony Domestic Violence Arraignment

Mohave County court officials swiftly moved forward this week with the arraignment of Jesse J. Raitano, a 37-year-old Lake Havasu City resident, on felony domestic violence charges. Raitano appeared in Mohave Superior Court on Monday, facing one count of aggravated domestic violence. Judge Billy Sipe set a trial date for December 10, with a final management conference scheduled for November 12.

Raitano’s arrest occurred on July 26 following a domestic violence incident reported by a housemate. Police indicated that Raitano may have been under the influence of methamphetamine during the confrontation, which escalated when his housemate requested he leave due to alleged drug use.

According to the police report, Raitano allegedly attempted to push his housemate before taking a check from the victim’s checkbook, tearing it into pieces, and discarding it. After leaving the residence, he reportedly stole mail from the mailbox before departing the area.

Law enforcement later apprehended Raitano on the 3500 block of Tarpon Drive. When questioned, he claimed that only a verbal dispute had occurred prior to his departure. However, a search of his backpack unveiled a piece of the victim’s mail.

Raitano was subsequently transported to the Lake Havasu City Police Department for booking on the aggravated domestic violence charge. His criminal history includes a felony conviction for domestic violence in 2020, for which he served 18 months in prison, being released in January 2023. He also has prior convictions for unlawful use of a means of transportation and possession of drug paraphernalia, both recorded in 2016.

Raitano is scheduled for a pretrial conference on September 9, marking his next court appearance as this case continues to unfold.