A Barnesville man is facing numerous felony and misdemeanor charges after Pennsylvania State Police say he assaulted family members with a knife during a domestic incident over the weekend.
According to court documents, Kyle Jacob Merenda, 31, of Barnesville, was charged by the Pennsylvania State Police at Frackville following an incident on April 25, 2026, at a residence along Shady Lane in Ryan Township.
Troopers were dispatched around to a reported assault and were advised that two individuals had been attacked. An investigation determined that a verbal dispute escalated into a physical altercation, during which Merenda allegedly produced a knife and began swinging it in a stabbing motion.
One of the victims told police he was able to grab Merenda’s arm and eventually wrestle the knife away. Both victims sustained injuries during the struggle, including lacerations that were documented by police at the scene.
A knife described as having a black blade with a green rope handle was recovered by troopers.
According to the affidavit, due to the nature of the incident and Merenda initially remaining inside the home, the Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) was authorized to respond and assist at the scene.
Following the investigation, Merenda was charged with:
- Four counts of Aggravated Assault (F2) – attempting to cause or causing bodily injury with a deadly weapon
- Possession of an Instrument of Crime (M1)
- Four counts of Simple Assault (M2)
- Two counts of Recklessly Endangering Another Person (M2)
- Resisting Arrest (M2)
- Two counts of Harassment (Summary)
Merenda was arraigned before on-call Magisterial District Judge James Reiley in Pottsville and committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $25,000 straight cash bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 6, 2026, before Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli in Frackville.