Officers arrested, suspended on domestic assault charges

Two Pennsylvania corrections employees are facing professional consequences after allegations surfaced about their involvement in domestic disputes. The two men, age 25 and 35, are both accused in separate domestic assault cases. Both men were arrested in March for the alleged indiscretions. Authorities say that both of the defendants have been suspended without pay pending the outcome of an official investigation. News reports show that the younger man was arrested on March 8 after his wife sought help from police when he allegedly choked her and threatened to kill her. That man is accused of criminal charges including aggravated assault, harassment and terroristic threats. The woman in the case told officers that her husband had choked her after returning from a night out with friends. The older defendant was arrested on March 16 for his involvement in a similar case. He is facing domestic assault charges including harassment and simple assault. Authorities in that case say that the man’s wife met them outside the couple’s home; the woman’s face was bloodied and bruised. She said her husband attempted to choke her, and he then struck her in the face after a subsequent argument. It does not appear that the two incidents were related, though both of the officers were hired together at the Lackawanna County Prison in 2012. Individuals who are facing criminal charges for domestic assault in Pennsylvania may benefit from the assistance of a criminal defense attorney. Even those who are employed as correctional or law enforcement officers sometimes find themselves struggling to tell their story in court. A criminal defense attorney may provide additional resources and guidance to help protect defendants’ rights, especially in such “he said, she said” situations. These lawyers may serve as invaluable assets and allies throughout the criminal defense process. Source:  The Scranton Times-Tribune, “Two Lackawanna prison guards suspended after arrests” 19 March 2014