RIMERSBURG BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) — A Clarion man is facing charges for an incident where he allegedly threw a dog leash at a woman, bruising her face.
Court documents indicate the New Bethlehem Borough Police Department filed criminal charges against 63-year-old Kent Craig Hilliard.
According to a criminal complaint, around 10:20 a.m. on January 4, New Bethlehem Borough Police were dispatched to a report of an “open line” 9-1-1 call from a residence on Acme Street in Rimersburg Borough, Clarion County.
It was reported that the dispatcher heard yelling and screaming from the residence, but when the dispatcher attempted to call the number back, he/she was unable to do so.
Officer Smith, of the New Bethlehem Borough Police Department, arrived at the scene and was able to make contact with the caller, a known female victim. Prior to speaking to the victim, Officer Smith located a male and had him wait outside.
According to the complaint, when questioned, the victim reported that she was talking to Kent Hilliard when he became angry and began threatening her. She stated that he then grabbed a dog leash out of her hand and rolled it into a ball. The victim then told Hilliard she was calling the police.
The victim reported that as she was crossing the room to grab the phone, Hilliard threw the leash at her, striking her on the right side of her cheek, leaving a red mark and bruising. He then began yelling at her, so she had to put the phone down, leaving the call to 9-1-1 open, according to the complaint.
After speaking to the victim, Officer Smith then questioned Hilliard about the incident.
According to the complaint, Hilliard reported he was talking to the victim when she began to yell at him. He told Officer Smith that he took the dog leash from the victim to get her attention and went on to say that he had walked away, and the victim kept asking him for the leash, so he threw the leash on the bed.
Bruising and red marks were observed on the side of the victim’s face, the complaint notes.
Hilliard was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey C. Miller at 1:15 p.m. on January 4, on the following charges:
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 1
– Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
Unable to post $2,500.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Clarion County Jail.
He was released on January 5, on a surety bond posted by a professional bondsman.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:40 p.m. on January 19, with Judge Miller presiding.
