FRANKLIN, Pa. (EYT) — A Franklin woman accused of choking a juvenile victim during a domestic altercation on Thanksgiving Day was sentenced on Friday.

On Friday, March 8, Judge Robert L. Boyer sentenced 44-year-old Joann Marie Cochenour, of Franklin, on charges stemming from an incident that occurred on Thanksgiving Day, November 22, 2018.

Cochenour pleaded guilty to the following charges on December 27, 2018:

– Strangulation — Applying Pressure to Throat or Neck, Misdemeanor 2
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2

Judge Boyer sentenced her to two years probation to each charge to be served consecutively.

The probation is to be served following her confinement following her sentencing for a charge of False Report — Falsely Incriminate Another.

Judge Boyer sentenced her to three months to two years less one day confinement in the Venango County Jail for that case.

She received credit for 106 days.

The case is a result of Cochenour filing false charges against her boyfriend for rape.

Details of the domestic assault case:

According to a criminal complaint, on Thursday, November 22, Patrolman Floor, of the Franklin Police Department, was dispatched for a welfare check on a known juvenile.

According to the complaint, upon interviewing the juvenile victim, it was determined that a domestic altercation occurred between the victim and Joann Cochenour, and the victim called a family friend.

The complaint notes that the victim stated she was choked to the point that her body was going numb and she was becoming breathless.

It is alleged that Cochenour also threw the victim into a wall and continued to choke her, the complaint indicates.

According to the complaint, Patrolman Floor observed visible injuries to the victim’s neck which included red marks, as well as scratches to both the victim’s neck and hands.

Cochenour was arraigned at 11:55 a.m. on Thursday, November 22, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew F. Fish’s office.

Details of the false report case

According to a criminal complaint, on September 22, Joann Cochenour called Venango County 9-1-1 to report that she was raped by her boyfriend.

Patrolman Floor, of the Franklin Police Department, responded to a residence on Atlantic Avenue and found Cochenour inside the house with her boyfriend. She was extremely intoxicated, according to the complaint.

Cochenour was transported to UPMC Northwest for a rape kit.

Through an extensive investigation, it was determined that Cochenour was lying about the rape and falsely accused her boyfriend, according to the complaint.