Nesquehoning man charged with assaulting woman

A Nesquehoning man was charged after he assaulted a woman.

John Palmer Cleland Jr., 53, of the 200 block of West Catawissa Street, faces charges of simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct for the Oct. 9 incident.

According to an affidavit filed by Nesquehoning police officers Charles McFeeley and Richard Neikam, both officers were dispatched to Cleland’s home for a domestic assault that had just occurred.

Police located the victim on the side of the house, who told officer that Cleland had been drinking and physically assaulted her. She had visible injuries on her face.

Officers entered the residence and took Cleland into custody. He told police he was in a physical altercation and “knocked her head off.”

He declined to give a written statement.

Cleland was arraigned before District Judge Casimir Kosciolek and is free on $25,000 unsecured bail. He faces a preliminary hearing on Oct. 23.