Celina Man Facing Strangulation, Assault Charges

A Celina man is facing charges in Mercer County Common Pleas Court after an alleged assault reported Friday evening.

Robert L. Beer, 56, has been charged with fifth-degree felony strangulation, first-degree misdemeanor assault, and fourth-degree misdemeanor criminal trespass. The charges stem from an alleged incident on or about June 27.

According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, Celina Police Officer Seth Heindel stated that Central Dispatch advised of an assault on Myers Road in Celina at approximately 7:47 PM. The affidavit says officers made contact with Beer before speaking with the alleged victim.

Police say the alleged victim had blood coming from his left ear, a red mark on his left cheek, blood on the left side of his neck, and redness across his neck. The affidavit states the alleged victim told police Beer had been asked to leave the property, then stood up, yelled at him, and began choking him. The alleged victim also reported being unable to breathe and said Beer struck him several times in the face.

According to the affidavit, the alleged victim later called 911 while walking to his mother’s house. Police say Beer told officers the two were “hanging out” and that things got “weird,” and claimed the alleged victim grabbed his shirt before being pushed and falling back in a chair.

The charges are accusations, and Beer is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.