ITHACA, N.Y. — An Ithaca man was charged with assault after allegedly attacking his boyfriend during a domestic dispute in February.
Anthony J. Cleveland, 36, allegedly assaulted his boyfriend after he accused him of cheating on the morning of Feb. 14. Cleveland’s boyfriend said they were sitting on the couch together just before 8 a.m. when he had asked Cleveland if he had cheated on him, which then sparked a dispute, according to court documents.
The man said Cleveland punched him in the left eye. After the punch, the complainant said he took Cleveland’s phone and smashed it with a pair of wire cutters, which allegedly angered Cleveland more.
Court documents state Cleveland grabbed a 1 x 2-foot wooden board, which was used to cover the windows, and hit the man across the left forearm and right knee with it, causing the wood to break. The man reportedly suffered substantial pain and injuries, including bruising and swelling, which caused him to seek hospital care.
Cleveland was arrested by Ithaca Police on March 24 and charged with second-degree assault, a felony.