On Monday, 01/16/17, around 1:30pm Pottsville Bureau of Police Patrolman James Englert was called to a local medical facility to speak with a 34 year old woman who had been assaulted.
Upon arrival, Englert learned that at approximately 9:00am, the woman, who is a faculty member at North Schuylkill Elementary School, had been at the Schuylkill County Courthouse to testify as a witness in a court proceeding.
Inside the courthouse, Carisa Rhoads, 37, of Frackville had begun to verbally abuse the woman and create a public disturbance as the victim was leaving the courtroom, requiring sheriff deputies to escort Rhoads out of the building.
Then, at approximately 10:50am, the female victim had been walking in the courthouse parking lot when she was aggressively confronted by Rhoads again.
As Rhoads was yelling and cursing she proceeded to grab the victim by the hair and pull her to the ground where she attacked her with her legs and struck her in the face with her fist. Through the course of the investigation Englert also learned that shortly after the assault, Rhoads had admitted to a Schuylkill County Children and Youth employee that she had physically attacked the victim.
As a result of the attack, the victim sustained visible injuries requiring medical treatment.
Two additional independent adult witnesses provided information indicating they had observed Rhoads punching and kicking the victim in the courthouse parking lot.
Base on the results of the investigation, Englert prepared a criminal complaint charging Rhoads with one count of Felony Aggravated assault (due to the victim being assaulted while acting in the scope of her employment as an educator), Misdemeanor Simple Assault, Harassment, Disorderly conduct and Retaliation against a witness, victim or party.
Two additional independent adult witnesses provided information indicating they had observed Rhoads punching and kicking the victim in the courthouse parking lot.
Base on the results of the investigation, Englert prepared a criminal complaint charging Rhoads with one count of Felony Aggravated assault (due to the victim being assaulted while acting in the scope of her employment as an educator), Misdemeanor Simple Assault, Harassment, Disorderly conduct and Retaliation against a witness, victim or party.
An arrest warrant was obtained for Rhoads and on Tuesday, 01/17/17, she was arraigned by Magisterial District Judge James Reiley who set bail at $100,000.00.
Rhoads was then committed to the Schuylkill County Prison, unable to post bail.