VENANGO CO., Pa. (EYT) – A hearing for a 31-year-old Allegheny County man accused of strangulation following an apparent domestic dispute in Oil City is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.

According to court documents, a preliminary hearing for 31-year-old John Kwame Simmons, of McKees Rocks, Allegheny County, is scheduled for Wednesday, November 30, at 1:30 p.m. in Venango County Central Court in front of Magisterial District Judge Patrick E. Lowrey.

Simmons faces the following charges:

– Strangulation – Applying Pressure to Throat or Neck, Felony 2
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 2
– Harassment – Subject Another to Physical Contact, Summary

He is currently lodged in the Venango County Prison on $25,000.00 monetary bail.

Details of the case:

According to a criminal complaint released on Wednesday, November 16, Oil City Police filed criminal charges against John Kwame Simmons, of McKees Rocks, in Magisterial District Judge Andrew Fish’s office.

Two Oil City Police Department officers were dispatched to a residence on East Seventh Street on Sunday, November 13, for an active domestic disturbance. Upon arrival, Simmons was standing outside the front door. The female victim was inside. One officer went inside while the other stayed with Simmons, according to the complaint.

Simmons stated that he was “picking on” the victim and that he had put his hands around her neck. He stated that he had taken it too far; they had been arguing and it was out-of-hand, says the complaint.

After speaking with the female victim inside, the first officer came outside and stayed with Simmons while the other officer went inside. He said the victim was visibly upset and stated that her neck was in pain. She stated that Simmons had put his hands around her neck three separate time that evening and that he’d squeezed tightly enough that she could not breathe, the complaint says.

Simmons was taken into custody for strangulation, simple assault, and harassment stemming from the domestic dispute. He was taken to the Oil City Police Department for processing.

He was arraigned on Sunday, November 13 at 10:30 p.m., in front of Judge Fish.