Man accused of assault on pregnant girlfriend

The sledgehammer was swung when she refused to get up.

STAFF REPORT

YOUNGSTOWN — The live-in boyfriend of a 22-year-old pregnant woman is accused of using a closed fist to punch her head, and taking a swing with a 10-pound sledgehammer that missed.

Anthony M. Salata, 33, of Florence Avenue was arrested late Tuesday night after police found him hiding in a clothes dryer in the home’s basement. He initially resisted getting out of the dryer until police used a burst of pepper spray, reports show.

Police who were sent to the Florence address talked to the alleged victim, who said she is 10 weeks pregnant. The woman said she and Salata got into an argument and he punched her several times in the back of the head and neck, which caused her to fall down.

The sledgehammer was swung when she refused to get up and Salata threatened to kill her, reports show.

A witness in the West Side home called 911 and Salata ran out, returning a few minutes later. Police took the sledgehammer as evidence.

Salata was arraigned in municipal court Wednesday via video from the jail on charges of felonious assault, domestic violence and resisting arrest. Judge Robert P. Milich set bond at $260,000 and appointed a lawyer for Salata, who said he has no income. The judge ordered that Salata stay away from his girlfriend and be placed on electronically monitored house arrest if he posts bond.

Bassil Ally, an assistant city prosecutor, told the judge that Salata’s criminal record includes aggravated robbery, complicity to robbery, felonious assaults (two), assault, parole violations, resisting arrest and possession of criminal tools. Court records show one of the felonious assaults was assault on a peace officer in 2006.