A Minersville man is facing felony aggravated assault and strangulation charges after police allege he attacked a woman at a Spruce Street home Thursday night.
Dakota Stone Whitman, 31, of Minersville, was charged Friday, . Court records list him as being held in Schuylkill County Prison after he was unable to post $150,000 monetary bail.
Police Detail Alleged Spruce Street Assault
According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by Minersville Police, an officer was dispatched to the home at approximately 10:21 p.m. Thursday, , for a report of a strangulation involving a television cord.
The officer arrived and found the woman outside the residence crying. She told police that Whitman, her partner, had assaulted her inside the home they shared, according to the affidavit.
The woman told police the alleged assault began around 8:45 p.m. during an argument. She said Whitman pushed her several times, punched her three times in the stomach and pushed her through a reclining chair.
Police allege Whitman then wrapped a television cord around the woman’s neck and restricted her breathing. After she removed the cord, he allegedly placed his hands around her neck and applied pressure while she repeatedly pleaded for him to let go.
The investigating officer reported observing redness on the upper-right portion of the woman’s neck. She also gave the officer the cord she said had been used during the assault, according to the affidavit.
Witnesses Reported Threats
Another person in the home told police they saw Whitman shove the woman and heard him threaten to strangle her again.
Police also interviewed a person who had been speaking with the woman by phone after the alleged assault. That person reported hearing Whitman say he had returned to “finish her off,” according to the affidavit.
Charges and Preliminary Hearing
Whitman faces the following charges:
- One count of aggravated assault, a first-degree felony
- Two counts of strangulation, second-degree felonies
- One misdemeanor count of terroristic threats
- One misdemeanor count of simple assault
- One summary count of harassment
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Tuesday, , before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.
The charges are allegations. Whitman is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.