A Schuylkill County man is facing assault charges after police say he choked his girlfriend until she began to pass out during an argument over spaghetti sauce.
Michael Head, 43, of Mahanoy City, is charged with second-degree misdemeanor simple assault and a summary offense of harassment. He is currently being held in Schuylkill County Prison after failing to post $25,000 bail.
Police in Mahanoy City say they were dispatched to a residence on E. Pine St. shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Friday for a report of an active physical domestic disturbance.
As they arrived at the scene, police say they found the victim waiting on the front porch. The victim told police her boyfriend, Head, choked her twice, kicked her in the left ribs, and punched the left side of her head.
The victim told police the altercation started during a dinner argument after she accidentally splashed spaghetti sauce on Head. He began yelling at her, and when she argued back, he began to choke her the first time, she said. She told police she began to pass out, and when she came to, he was yelling at her again.
The victim told police she informed Head she was going to call the cops, at which point he began to choke her a second time, letting go before she lost consciousness.
Head then grabbed her cell phone and refused to let her use it to call for help, the victim told police. When she tried to get the phone back from him, he allegedly started kicking her in the leg and ribs.
The victim stated she was able to retrieve the phone, walk outside, and call police.
Police say Head was still inside the house when they arrived and was taken into custody without incident. A preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker is scheduled for June 25.
Schuylkill County Crisis & Support Resources
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse or sexual violence, free, confidential, and inclusive help is available 24/7 in Schuylkill County.
- Schuylkill Hope Center (Domestic Violence): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 622-6220, text HOPELINE to 20121, or visit schopecenter.org. Services include emergency shelter, housing assistance, counseling, and legal representation.
- SARCC (Sexual Assault): Call the 24/7 hotline at (570) 628-2965 or visit sarccheals.org for counseling, advocacy, and healing support for survivors of sexual violence.
- Outside Schuylkill County: Residents across Pennsylvania can find their local domestic violence program at pcadv.org. You can also visit domesticshelters.org to find resources near you.
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