An Eldred man accused of assaulting a woman early Christmas Eve morning is in McKean County Jail.
Scott W. Button, 62, of 50 Barnard Drive, was arraigned before District Judge William Todd on charges of aggravated assault, a first-degree felony; strangulation, a second-degree felony; simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, both second-degree misdemeanors; and summary harassment.
According to the criminal complaint, about 12:15 a.m. Monday, Button and the woman returned to his residence after leaving the Golden Eagle Hotel and began to argue in the garage. Button allegedly shoved her; she fell, hit her head on a workbench and lost consciousness. She awoke to find she was being dragged by her feet in the garage.
The woman tried to enter the passenger’s side of her vehicle. Button shoved her against the center console, causing injuries to her left wrist and left side of her ribs; then, he got her out of the vehicle and choked her with both hands, the complaint stated. She was unable to speak and was having difficulty breathing.
She got away and went inside the home, with Button following her. He pushed and shoved her several times; when she tried to call 911, he broke her cell phone, according to the complaint.
Court records stated that she was able to get away, and she drove to the parking lot of Hamlin Bank and contacted the Golden Eagle bartender to call 911.
Button is in McKean County Jail in lieu of $30,000 bail, and he is scheduled to appear in Central Court on Jan. 3.