Michael T. Meredith, 57, of West Chester, was arrested on Sunday, Nov. 8, following an incident in the 300 block of Saint James Road in West Goshen Township, according to court documents.
Meredith was employed as an officer with the West Goshen Township Police Department at the time of the incident, the department confirmed to Daily Voice.
He submitted his resignation the following day, Monday, Nov. 9, and it was accepted, police said.
The investigation began around 6:15 p.m. Sunday when police responded to a reported domestic assault involving Meredith and a family member.
The family member reported that Meredith had struck them in the face, according to charging documents.
The victim also told investigators Meredith climbed on top of them and placed his hands around their neck, applying pressure, according to the documents.
When responding officers arrived, they found Meredith sitting in the driver's seat of a vehicle, investigators said.
Officers reported smelling alcohol during their initial contact with Meredith.
"The defendant was lethargic and did have glassy, bloodshot eyes and was observed to be unsteady on his feet," investigators wrote in the affidavit of probable cause.
Meredith was arrested and charged with the following offenses, according to his court docket:
- Strangulation — applying pressure to the throat or neck, a second-degree felony.
- Recklessly endangering another person, a second-degree misdemeanor.
- Simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor.
- DUI — general impairment/incapable of driving safely, a misdemeanor.
- Harassment — subjecting another person to physical contact, a summary offense.
The criminal complaint was filed on Monday, Nov. 9, by West Goshen Township Police Officer Timothy F. Reilly.
Meredith's bail was set at $100,000 unsecured, which he posted by signature on Monday, according to the docket.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled before Magisterial District Judge Anthony diFrancesca on Friday, Nov. 20, at 9:30 a.m.
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