Piotr Lapinski, 56, held at Monroe County Prison on $20,000 bail after woman reports being pushed to ground and choked at Pocono Township residence
HENRYVILLE, MONROE COUNTY — A 56-year-old Henryville man is behind bars after police say he strangled a woman at a residence Sunday night and then fought with officers who tried to arrest him.
Piotr Lapinski appeared before Magisterial District Judge Richard P. White on Monday, December 23, 2025, and was unable to post $20,000 bail. He was remanded to Monroe County Prison, where he remains confined. His preliminary hearing before Monroe County Magisterial District Judge Daniel Kresge is scheduled for Tuesday, December 31, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.
The Incident
According to Pocono Township Police, officers were dispatched to a residence on the 130 block of Sunrise Loop in Henryville at approximately 9:36 p.m. on Sunday, December 22, 2025.
A woman at the home reported that she had been physically assaulted. She told investigators that Lapinski pushed her to the ground and attempted to choke her during the incident.
When officers attempted to take Lapinski into custody, police say he resisted arrest. He was eventually subdued and detained, then transported to Monroe County Correctional Facility for arraignment.
Officer James H. Scott Jr. is listed as the arresting officer.
Strangulation Carries Up to 10 Years in Prison
Lapinski’s most serious charge is strangulation, a second-degree felony under Pennsylvania law when committed against a family or household member.
Under 18 Pa.C.S. § 2718, a person commits strangulation by knowingly or intentionally impeding another person’s breathing or blood circulation by applying pressure to the throat or neck. The charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $25,000.
Notably, Pennsylvania law does not require physical injury for a strangulation conviction. The lack of visible marks or injuries is explicitly not a defense under the statute.
Studies have shown strangulation is a significant predictor of future lethal violence in domestic situations, which is why Pennsylvania enacted Act 111 in 2016 to make it a standalone felony offense rather than treating it as simple assault.
The Charges
Lapinski faces five charges in the case:
- Strangulation — Applying Pressure to Throat or Neck (18 Pa.C.S. § 2718(a)(1)): F2 — up to 10 years
- Simple Assault (18 Pa.C.S. § 2701(a)(1)): M2 — up to 2 years
- Recklessly Endangering Another Person (18 Pa.C.S. § 2705): M2 — up to 2 years
- Resisting Arrest or Other Law Enforcement (18 Pa.C.S. § 5104): M2 — up to 2 years
- Harassment — Subject Other to Physical Contact (18 Pa.C.S. § 2709(a)(1)): S
DEFENDANT INFORMATION:
- Name: Piotr Lapinski
- DOB: February 27, 1969 (Age 56)
- Sex: Male
- Race: White
- Hair: Brown
- Eyes: Blue
- Height: 5’7″
- Weight: 199 lbs
- Last Known Address: Henryville, PA 18332
CASE INFORMATION:
- Docket: MJ-43303-CR-0000402-2025
- OTN: J 1016536-3
- Incident: 2025-00013641
- Court: MDJ 43-3-03 (Preliminary Hearing); Arraignment before Richard P. White
- Status: Active — Awaiting Preliminary Hearing, Monroe County
TIMELINE:
- December 22, 2025, 9:36 p.m.: Pocono Township Police dispatched to Sunrise Loop residence for domestic assault
- December 22, 2025: Lapinski allegedly pushes woman to ground, attempts to strangle her; resists arrest
- December 23, 2025, 11:00 a.m.: Arraigned before MDJ Richard P. White; bail set at $20,000; remanded to Monroe County Prison
- December 31, 2025, 10:00 a.m.: Preliminary hearing scheduled (MDJ Daniel Kresge)
BAIL: $20,000 monetary — Not posted
CONFINEMENT: Monroe County Prison (as of Monday, December 23, 2025) — Unable to post bail
ATTORNEYS:
- Prosecution: Monroe County District Attorney’s Office, 701 Main Street, 2nd Floor, Stroudsburg, PA 18360 — 570-420-3470
- Defense: Public defender requested
ARRESTING AGENCY:
- Pocono Township Police Department (Officer James H. Scott Jr.)
LOCATION:
- Incident: 130 block of Sunrise Loop, Henryville, PA 18332
Lapinski is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.