ROCKLAND — A Camden man was arrested March 3 for allegedly choking a woman and threatening her with a knife after a verbal argument became physical.  

Bronson Simmons, 27, of Camden, was charged by Camden Police Detective Curt Andrick with aggravated assault, domestic violence criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon, domestic violence reckless conduct and obstructing the report of a crime or injury.

Simmons made his initial court appearance March 4 in Knox County Unified Court and the judge set his bail at $25,000 cash. He had a previous conviction for a domestic violence assault in 2014. Simmons remains in the Knox County Jail as of March 10.

According to the police report, the victim came to the Camden Police station March 3 to report that her boyfriend had allegedly assaulted her the previous night. She told police that during an argument Simmons grabbed her by the throat in the bedroom and choked her along with grabbing, pushing and threatening her. The victim said that Simmons took her cell phone during the fight so she was not able to call police, said the report.

The victim said that Simmons followed her into the kitchen, grabbed a knife from the counter and used his forearm to hold her against the wall while he held the knife in the other hand. Simmons told the victim he was going to kill her, and stab and slice her with the knife, according to the police report.

A neighbor heard the disturbance and called police, who responded to the residence. 

When the police questioned Simmons about the alleged assault he told them the victim injured her throat when she fell down and struck her neck on a baby gate. After further questioning by police, Simmons changed his story and told them the victim had punched him in the face, the report said. He also denied threatening her with a knife.

Simmons will appear in court again on April 25 at a dispositional conference.

Reach Sarah Shepherd at news@penbaypilot.com