Police documented facial, neck injuries

ELYRIA — An Elyria man faces a felony charge after police say he strangled a woman during a domestic dispute, continuing until she felt she was losing consciousness.

Rolando Pilson Jr., 27, is charged with fourth-degree felony strangulation or suffocation, first-degree misdemeanor domestic violence and first-degree misdemeanor assault, according to Elyria Municipal Court records.

Elyria police responded shortly before noon Sept. 2 to the 1400 block of West River Road North after receiving a call about a suspicious situation.

Officers met a woman outside an apartment and noticed redness and swelling near her left cheek, according to a police report. She initially declined further assistance after saying the person she wanted removed had left.

The woman went to the Elyria Police Department about 1:30 p.m. and provided officers with a more detailed account.

She told police that she and Pilson had argued the previous night and that he resumed the argument the following morning. She said Pilson began pushing her and that the confrontation later involved both of them shoving each other.

During another argument in a bedroom, Pilson allegedly placed both hands around the woman’s neck and strangled her, the report states. She told police she initially removed his hands, but Pilson allegedly grabbed her neck again and continued strangling her as they moved across the bed.

The woman’s upper body slid from the bed, causing her head to strike the floor, while Pilson continued holding her neck, according to her account. She told officers she felt as though she was losing consciousness and believed Pilson was going to kill her.

She eventually freed herself and called police. Before leaving the apartment, Pilson allegedly returned and slapped her across the face. The woman told police she responded by striking him with a bottle of hot sauce.

An officer documented what was described as an approximately 3-inch swollen laceration near the woman’s left cheekbone and eye, along with severe redness and bruising on both sides and the back of her neck. Her injuries were photographed, according to the report.

Pilson later arrived at the police department and was taken into custody.

He appeared in Elyria Municipal Court on Sept. 3. A judge set a $25,000 cash or surety bond on the felony charge and personal bonds totaling $2,000 on the misdemeanor charges.

Court records show a surety bond was posted. Lorain County Jail records list Pilson’s release time as 1:52 p.m. Sept. 3.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2 p.m. Sept. 10 before Judge Robert C. White. The misdemeanor case is scheduled to be heard with the felony case.

The charges are allegations. Pilson is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Elyria Police Arrest Woman After Vehicles Rammed at GetGo