SMETHPORT — An East Smethport man is in McKean County Jail after allegedly lighting a woman’s blanket on fire and strangling her early Wednesday morning.

Daniel W. Brecht, 44, of 16 Railroad Ave., was arraigned Wednesday morning before District Judge William Todd on charges of aggravated assault, a first-degree felony; strangulation, a second-degree felony; terroristic threats, a first-degree misdemeanor; simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, both second-degree misdemeanors; harassment and criminal mischief, both summary charges.

According to court records, at 1:23 a.m. Wednesday, Kane-based state police were dispatched to Railroad Avenue, where they met with the alleged victim. She said she had been sleeping in bed under a blanket, when Brecht came in and began yelling at her.

Brecht allegedly lit the woman’s blanket on fire, held her down and told her he was going to kill her; then, he stood up and fell down, according to court records. She was then able to leave the home; she returned about an hour later.

While the woman was sitting in a chair in the dining room, Brecht came up behind her and put his arms around her neck, obstructing her breathing, and “related that he wasn’t afraid to kill her,” court records stated. “Brecht then proceeded to make a gun-like gesture with his index finger and thumb, pointed it at her heard and again said he would kill her.”

She tried to call 911, but Brecht took her phone and poured beer over her head, according to court records. She was able to leave and call 911 from a neighbor’s phone.

Brecht was committed to jail in lieu of $50,000 bail, and he is scheduled to appear in Central Court on Jan. 4.