Plea Court Date Scheduled for Man Accused of Attempting to Strangle Girlfriend

Scott Shindledecker

Scott Shindledecker

Published August 15, 2017 4:31 am
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CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — A 19-year-old man accused of attempting to strangle his girlfriend at a Clarion Borough apartment complex is scheduled to appear in plea court.

Court documents indicate that 19-year-old Tyler Austin Rhodes, of Lewistown, faces the following charges from a March 21, 2017 incident:

– Strangulation – Applying Pressure to Throat or Neck, Felony 2 (two counts)
– Unlawful Restraint/Serious Bodily Injury, Misdemeanor 1 (two counts)
– Terroristic threats, Misdemeanor 1
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2 (three counts)
– Disorderly Conduct, Hazardous/Physical Offense, Misdemeanor 3 (four counts)
– Harassment, Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary (four counts)
– Criminal Mischief – Damage Property, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)

His case is scheduled for plea court at 2:00 p.m. on September 6 with President Judge James G. Arner.

He remains lodged in the Clarion County Jail on $50,000.00 monetary bail.

Details of the March 21 Alleged Assault:

According to a criminal complaint, Clarion University Detective White met with the victim on April 2. She stated that Rhodes physically assaulted her at a Clarion Borough apartment complex between 11:00 p.m. on March 21 and 3:00 a.m. on March 22.

The victim told Detective White that she and Rhodes had been dating since September 2016. She said that on March 21, while she was away, Rhodes found old love letters and cards from her ex-boyfriend. The victim stated that while she was in the shower, Rhodes took her room key card and her cell phone. She also said that Rhodes frequently took her phone because he didn’t want her to speak to anyone when he was not there, the complaint states.

She told Detective White that when Rhodes returned, he became upset about the cards and letters. Rhodes then questioned when she last spoke to her ex-boyfriend and then texted him, the complaint continues.

According to the victim, Rhodes then threw the cards at her. He then became angrier and allegedly pushed her against the bed and bent her backward. He then allegedly placed both of his hands on her neck and started to choke her, the complaint indicates.

The criminal complaint states that the victim said she attempted to push Rhodes’ hands away from her neck when he placed his right forearm on her neck and grabbed both hands. The victim said that she couldn’t breathe and was having trouble hearing at this point.

Rhodes then “got off of her neck” and she was able to get up. At that time, Rhodes allegedly shoved her in the chest, causing her to lose her balance. The victim then stated that she told Rhodes to leave, but he refused, according to the complaint.

After things had calmed down, the victim went to the bathroom to get into the shower. At this point, Rhodes came in and allegedly would not let her get into the shower. She stated that Rhodes “got into her face” and allegedly punched her in the left side of the stomach with a closed fist. The victim stated that she did push Rhodes, and he allegedly responded by saying that he was going to break her jaw. Rhodes then allegedly said, “he could kill (her) right now,” the complaint indicates.

Rhodes then allegedly head-butted the victim on the nose, causing her to drop to the floor in pain where she ended up in the fetal position, the complaint continues.

The victim told Detective White that she was able to get up, and Rhodes stated, “hit me again.” The victim got back up, and Rhodes allegedly spit in her face. The victim pushed him away in the face area, causing his lip to bleed slightly, according to the criminal complaint.

The criminal complaint states that Rhodes then allegedly stated he was going to call the police to have her arrested. Rhodes told the victim if she wanted to stay together, he would tell the police that nothing happened and if she wanted to break up, he would have her arrested. The victim said that Rhodes never called the police.

Rhodes allegedly told her, “You caused me to be this way because you don’t talk to me.”

The victim told Rhodes that he needed to stop being physical with her, and he responded it was “her fault he doesn’t trust her.” The victim also stated Rhodes told her “if I go to jail, we won’t be together,” according to the complaint.

March 28, 2017 Alleged Assault

Police say they were called to the Clarion University Main Street Suites around 8:00 p.m. on March 28. During their investigation, they discovered that Rhodes allegedly struck the victim on the head. Police observed red marks on the victim’s head and ear area.

Rhodes was charged with a second-degree Simple Assault charge and a third-degree misdemeanor charge for Disorderly Conduct Hazardous/Physical Offense.

This case is also scheduled for Plea Court at 2:00 p.m. on September 6 in front of Judge Arner.

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