By Jacob Mathias

A Plover man faces felony strangulation charges after a witness heard screams for help and called the police.

Christian Schroeder, 19, is charged with felony strangulation and suffocation, which carries a maximum of a $10,000 fine, six years imprisonment or both if convicted. He is also charged with misdemeanor disorderly conduct which carries a sentence of up to a $1,000 fine, 90 days imprisonment or both if convicted.

A domestic abuse assessment has been added to both charges.

Schroeder made his initial appearance in Portage County Circuit Court on July 18.

According to the criminal complaint, on June 19 at approximately 12:20 AM Plover police officers responded to a reported disturbance on the 2700 block of Forest Dr. in the Village of Plover. When officers arrived they met with the caller who had told dispatch she heard glass breaking and a woman screaming for help. She also saw a suspect leave the residence.

While the responding officers were speaking with the caller, they received word from another officer that the suspect, Schroeder, had been located and they were bringing him back to the location.

Officers report being able to see a woman walking inside the residence where the alleged disturbance had taken place. When they knocked no one answered the door. When looking in the window, they saw paint had been splattered all over the walls and floor.

When the officers saw a hole in a back door window, they reached inside, unlocked the door and entered announcing their presence. They made contact with a woman who claimed to have lived with Schroeder for three years.

The woman told officers she was afraid and did not want to get Schroeder in trouble. She reportedly cried throughout the questioning.

The woman told officers that earlier in the evening she’d had friends over for a campfire. Throughout the evening Schroeder had become increasingly upset with her friends before telling them they had to leave. After the friends left, Schroeder followed the woman into the house.

According to the complaint, Schroeder yelled at the woman to pack up her things and then began throwing her belongings at her. He then followed her into the living room and placed both his hands on around her neck and choked her. The woman said this caused her pain and she was unable to breathe.

When the defendant released the woman she began screaming for help.

The woman said Schroeder then grabbed two paint cans and threw paint around the living room and bedroom before attempting to strangle her again. Officers report observing red marks on the woman’s neck.

The woman said she was in fear for safety and afraid of what Schroeder may do to her in the future. She said she could no longer take the abuse and and was moving out.

Schroeder is currently free on a $200 cash bond. He returns to court on August 15 at 3:00 PM.