A Bingham Township man was arraigned last week for allegedly striking and choking a woman.

Carl S. Shemwell, 39, of 7021 S. W. Bay Shore Dr., Traverse City, was arraigned in 86th District Court before Judge Thomas J. Phillips on a charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and a charge of interfering with electronic communications. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, July 27 at 11:30 a.m. He is free after posting 10 percent of a $2,500 bond.

According to the felony complaint on file with the court, on Thursday, June 28, four county Sheriff’s deputies were called to a residence on E. Kohler Road in Suttons Bay Township.

When they entered the house after hearing a disturbance, they found Shemwell allegedly sitting on top of the victim, pinning her to a bed to prevent her from leaving. Deputies separated the pair, took their statements, and arrested Shemwell. The two had allegedly met earlier in the evening at a Suttons Bay restaurant and bar, and drove to the victim’s home in Suttons Bay Township, where he allegedly assaulted the victim after they got into an argument.

If found guilty of the first charge, Shemwell faces a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in prison or a $5,000 fine. If found guilty on the second charge, the maximum penalty is up to two years in prison and or a fine of up to $1,000.