Local Doctor, Michael Acurio Faces a Series of Domestic Abuse Charges
A local orthopedic surgeon faces domestic violence charges after an altercation with his estranged wife and her sister earlier this month.
54-year-old Dr. Michael Acurio of Benton, is charged with second-degree battery domestic violence, domestic abuse with strangulation, aggravated assault domestic violence, simple battery and aggravated assault.
Acurio is accused of fighting with his wife, Shelley Acurio, at their home early on the morning of Dec. 7. Shelley Acurio called her sister, Rachel Ratley, who also allegedly got into a scuffle with Michael Acurio. The women left the Acurio home and ended up at Willis Knighton Pierremont, where they called the Bossier Sheriff's Office.
The second degree battery domestic violence, domestic abuse with strangulation, and aggravated assault domestic violence were charges that stemmed from the incident with Shelley Acurio. The simple battery and aggravated assault charges stemmed from an altercation with Ratley.
Acurio's bond is set at $200,000 after a Gwen's Law hearing required for some domestic abuse criminal cases. A judge ordered that a protective order be filed for Shelley Acurio. She must move out of the couple's home by Dec. 22, and Michael Acurio is barred from going within 100 feet of the home until after that.
The charges were dropped in June of 2016 according to the Bossier DA's office.