CLEARFIELD – A Woodland man accused of felony strangulation had his case held to county court following a preliminary hearing Wednesday at the Clearfield County Jail.
Robert Aaron Lanager, 50, has been charged by Trooper Dennis Peters of the Clearfield-based state police with strangulation, F2; simple assault, M2; and harassment, S. Bail has been set at $50,000.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, at approximately 2:11 p.m. June 10, Peters was dispatched for a reported assault in progress at a Main Street residence in Woodland.
Upon arrival to the scene, Peters spoke with the victim who stated she and Lanager had gotten into an argument. She stated that it was over his apparent drug usage, and he was lying on the floor.
When she attempted to leave and stepped over him in the kitchen, he grabbed her right leg to prevent her from doing so. She pulled free and started running up the steps. But Lanager allegedly caught up, jumped her back and “tackled” her.
Lanager put his knee into her back, causing her pain. He then allegedly reached forward and placed her in a “choke hold.” She told Peters that Lanager squeezed her neck to intentionally impede her breathing and ability to speak.
The victim also stated she was having severe problems breathing but was able to tell Lanager that he was going to “choke her to death” if he didn’t let go of her. He let up just enough that she was able to bite his hand and clear her airway.
The victim was eventually able to get Lanager to let her up. She went into a bedroom, locked the door and called 911.
At the scene, Peters observed the victim and her face was very red. He also observed the bite mark on Lanager’s left hand, which he stated was from the victim.
