A Mahanoy City woman was charged with aggravated assault after a domestic dispute that resulted in injuries to both individuals involved.
According to court records, Crystal Hernandez, 32, was arrested on January 10, 2025, following an altercation at her residence on East Pine Street.
According to a complaint filed by Mahanoy City Police Cpl. Charles Kovalewski, police responded to a 911 dispatch at approximately 12:59 p.m. for a reported domestic incident involving a person stabbed in the hand. Upon arrival, Cpl. Kovalewski encountered Hernandez, who admitted to stabbing the male victim, identified as Jimmy Serrano, in the hand. She claimed it was an act of self-defense.
Hernandez told police that during an argument, Serrano choked her and threw a mirror, which shattered. She said she grabbed a piece of broken glass and used it to defend herself, resulting in Serrano’s hand injury. Hernandez also exhibited visible injuries to her hand and face, which she attributed to handling the glass.
When questioned separately, Serrano provided a different account. He alleged that Hernandez "tweaked out," began throwing objects, and physically attacked him. He showed Officer Kovaleski a laceration on his left hand above the knuckles and scratches on his face. Serrano led police to the second floor of the residence, where broken glass from a shattered mirror was found on the floor.
Serrano’s two sons, who were present during the altercation, corroborated his version of events. They stated that Hernandez smashed the mirror and stabbed Serrano while he was attempting to walk away from her.
Both Hernandez and Serrano acknowledged a history of domestic violence between them, according to the police report.
Hernandez was charged with aggravated assault and was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli. She was committed to Schuylkill County Prison in lieu of $15,000 bail, requiring 10% to post. On January 16, 2025, Hernandez posted bail through a professional bondsman and was released pending further court proceedings.
The case remains under investigation, with a preliminary hearing scheduled in the coming weeks.