A Schuylkill County man was jailed after police say he screwed metal brackets onto a bathroom door to keep his husband from getting out during a domestic altercation over the weekend.
Joseph Christman, 41, of Schuylkill Haven, faces felony strangulation and aggravated assault charges along with false imprisonment, simple assault and harassment.
State Police say they were dispatched shortly after 9 a.m. Sunday to a home on Kings Lane in North Manheim Township for a report of an active domestic.
The victim told Sterenchock that he and Christman argued the day before and that Christman became physical, pulling him into a bedroom inside the residence. Christman then began choking him, putting him in a choke hold and using his forearm to impede his ability to breathe.
Around 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Christman began attaching metal brackets to the bathroom door while the victim was inside, the victim told police. He was unable to leave the bathroom until Christman removed the brackets, according to police.
The two argued again Sunday, the victim said, and that argument also turned physical. The victim told police Christman grabbed him from behind and used his forearm to impede his breathing. He said the altercation went on for about a minute, until he was able to physically remove himself, police say.
Police reported seeing redness around the victim’s neck during their interview with him.
Christman told police the altercation did get physical and that he did put his arm around the victim’s neck. Sterenchock asked again whether he had put his arm around the victim’s neck that day, and Christman replied “today” while nodding his head yes, according to police.
Christman was taken into custody without incident. He was arraigned late Sunday night before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli, who set bail at $25,000. He was committed to Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post bail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 1 before Magisterial District Judge Casimir Kosciolek.
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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