CRANBERRY TWP., Pa. (EYT) — A Franklin man is facing felony strangulation and related charges after he allegedly struck and choked a woman during a domestic dispute in Cranberry Township.

Court documents indicate the Franklin-based State Police filed criminal charges against 34-year-old Matthew Scott Crawford, of Franklin.

According to a criminal complaint, around 6:40 p.m. on Friday, August 24, Trooper Young, of PSP Franklin, was dispatched to a domestic dispute in progress at a residence on Cherry Lane in Cranberry Township, Venango County.

Upon his arrival, Trooper Young found the known female victim standing on the porch of the residence and Matthew Scott Crawford walking toward him in the yard of the residence.

The victim told Trooper Young that she and Crawford were involved in a verbal dispute when Crawford began poking her in the head and chest. She stated that during the poking, she slapped him in the face, he slapped her in the face, and then she slapped him a second time in return. She reported that Crawford then slapped her repeatedly, and she ran to the bathroom of the residence, according to the complaint.

The victim reported that while in the bathroom, Crawford entered and began choking her with one hand and said, “You’re going to sleep.”

The victim reported she felt light-headed, but Crawford let go before she passed out entirely.

According to the victim, Crawford snapped a kitchen knife in half and then left the residence.

The complaint notes that Trooper Young observed fresh marks on the victim’s neck and face and a fresh scratch on her forehead, as well as a broken knife in the kitchen.

Trooper Young also interviewed Crawford at the scene.

Crawford reported that he and the victim had a verbal dispute, and the victim slapped him in the face. He said they went into the bathroom, and the victim began hitting him multiple times with an open and closed fist, and he then put her in a headlock, the complaint states.

Crawford also stated that the victim threatened “to kill him with a knife, which he took from her and broke in half” before leaving the residence, according to the complaint.

The complaint notes that Trooper Young observed fresh scratch marks on Crawford’s face, neck, and chest.

Based on the investigation, Crawford was arraigned at 10:00 p.m. on Friday, August 24, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office on the following charges:

• Strangulation — Applying Pressure to Throat or Neck, Felony 2
• Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
• Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary

Unable to post $15,000.00 monetary bail, he was lodged in the Venango County Jail.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, August 29, with Judge Fish presiding.