Armando Quispe Rodriguez

A former correctional officer pleaded guilty Monday in connection to a gruesome attack last March in which he stabbed his wife 23 times and handcuffed her to the basement of their Charles County, Maryland, home.

Armando Quispe Rodriguez, 46, of Bryans Road, pleaded guilty to attempted first-degree murder in Charles County Circuit Court, the State’s Attorney’s office announced on Monday. He faces life in prison.

According to the police investigation, Keyia Rodriguez was asleep in their home in the 2500 block of Archway Lane in Bryans Road the morning of March 23. Her husband began hitting and stabbing her. She struggled with him and tried to escape but was unable to do so.

Armando handcuffed Keyia to a railing in the basement and bound her ankles, according to police. They say he continuously assaulted and threatened her before stabbing her 23 times. He also put a plastic bag over her face and put a belt around her neck to suffocate her.

Armando eventually called 911 and unlocked the handcuffs but kept Keyia’s ankles bound, police say.

When officers arrived at the scene, Armando was in front of the residence with several lacerations on his hands, according to the news release.

Officers searched the home and discovered Keyia incoherent and bound to the basement stairs, with several stab wounds to her upper body and a pool of blood around her. The walls of the basement were covered with blood and a pair of handcuffs was also nearby, police say.

Keyia was transported to an area trauma center for treatment and survived.

Armando told officers he was responsible for her injuries and told them where the knife he used could be located.

Sentencing is set for Aug. 8 before Charles County Circuit Court Judge Amy J. Bragunier.