Eldred man
facing aggravated
assault allegations
An Eldred man is facing aggravated assault charges after an alleged domestic assault early Sunday morning.
Craig L. Switzer Jr., 46, of 45 Lawrence Lane, was arraigned Sunday before District Judge Dominic Cercone on charges of aggravated assault-circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, a first-degree felony; strangulation, a second-degree felony; simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor; and two counts of summary harassment.
According to the criminal complaint, at 3:55 a.m. Sunday, Lewis Run-based state police were dispatched to Switzer’s home for a report of an active domestic dispute. Troopers found Switzer sleeping in the driver’s seat of a truck parked in the driveway.
The officers woke up Switzer and asked him what happened. He said he had a fight with his wife, court records stated. While one trooper stayed with Switzer, another went to talk to Switzer’s wife and daughter, who had locked themselves in a room and called 911.
According to the complaint, the females locked themselves in the room after Switzer, who had been drinking alcohol and not taking his diabetes medication, “became belligerent” and began breaking things. He allegedly pushed his wife against a wall and choked her, and grabbed his daughter and threw her on the ground.
Switzer is free on $30,000 unsecured bail, and a preliminary hearing is set for July 27.
Port Allegany woman jailed on aggravated assault charges
A Port Allegany woman is in McKean County Jail after being charged with aggravated assault over the weekend.
Brianna L. Niles, 24, of 114 E. Arnold Ave., was arraigned Sunday night before District Judge Dominic Cercone. Niles is charged with aggravated assault-circumstances manifesting extreme indifference to the value of human life, a first-degree felony; strangulation, a second-degree felony; simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor; and summary counts of harassment and disorderly conduct.
The criminal complaint states that on July 12, a male talked to officers at the Port Allegany police station for allegations that his girlfriend, Niles, had been assaulting him for about three weeks, doing things such as punching him, scratching him and kicking him in the head.
On Sunday, Niles allegedly punched him several times, and he went to a relative’s home. She showed up there. He refused to give her an Xbox, and she punched him, grabbed him by the throat, then let go and grabbed him in the groin area, according to court records.
After the alleged assault, Niles went through his belongings and took what she wanted, the complaint indicated.
Niles is incarcerated in lieu of $10,000 bail. She is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing on July 27.
