SUGARCREEK BOROUGH, Pa. (EYT) — A Franklin man accused of strangling a woman during a domestic dispute earlier this month waived his preliminary hearing Wednesday.

Court documents indicate the following charges against 37-year-old Kenneth David Smith, of Franklin, were waived for court on Wednesday, January 30:

– Strangulation — Applying Pressure to Throat or Neck, Felony 2
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Terroristic Threats With Intent to Terrorize Another, Misdemeanor 1

The charges have been transferred to the Venango County Court of Common Pleas.

Smith remains free on $20,000.00 unsecured bail.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint, Officer Highfield of the Sugarcreek Borough Police Department was contacted by Venango County 9-1-1 on Wednesday, January 16, around 3:50 p.m., regarding a physical domestic incident at a residence along Independent Road.

The complaint states that a female victim told 9-1-1 she was shoved into a wall and choked by Kenneth Smith. The woman said Smith left the area in a red Saturn Vue after the incident occurred.

Officer Highfield contacted the victim via phone, and she stated that Smith had just returned to the residence.

According to the complaint, the victim reported that she was in the bathtub when Smith got home and entered the bathroom and began to yell, scream, and throw clothing into the bathtub. She told police that she got out of the bathtub and exited the bathroom, and Smith then allegedly grabbed her by the neck and squeezed before throwing her against a wall.

While speaking to Officer Highfield, the victim said that Smith had just fled the residence again.

Officer Highfield checked the area surrounding the residence and did not find Smith, then proceeded to the home to speak to the victim.

According to the complaint, Officer Highfield observed several items of clothing and towels, which were “completely soaked,” on the floor beside the bathtub. He also observed physical marks on the victim’s body including bruising to her neck, reddening on her throat area, bruising on her arms, and scratches on the left side of her torso.

Smith also allegedly threatened to kill the woman if she called the police.

The victim was then transported to Sugarcreek Borough Police Station by Ptlm. Johnson where she met with an advocate from PPC Violence Free Network.

The complaint notes that while filling out paperwork for an Emergency Protection From Abuse Order, Officer Highfield was able to contact Smith by phone. Smith was asked to fill out a written statement.

According to the complaint, Smith’s stated he and the victim were arguing when the victim “came toward him.” He told police that he “pushed her away and they both fell into a wall.”

Smith was arraigned at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 16, in Magisterial District Judge Matthew T. Kirtland’s office.