Apr 24, 2017 2 min read

A New Jersey man was arrested Sunday by Smith Township police after he allegedly assaulted his former girlfriend and her daughter during a confrontation at her Atlasburg home.

Marquis Pierce, 27, of Phillipsburg, is accused of grabbing the woman by the throat and grabbing the girl around her body from behind when she tried to assist her mother during the confrontation.

The alleged victim and her four children locked themselves in a bathroom and called 911, police said. She told the call taker she could hear Pierce throwing items in the house.

When police arrived, they said they could hear a man screaming obscenities and throwing items. An officer drew his Taser as he knocked on the door of the home. When Pierce opened the door, the officer ordered him to get down. Pierce was handcuffed and taken into custody.

The alleged victim told police Pierce is a professional boxer and she was in fear of retaliation. She told police he was her ex-boyfriend and had shown up at her house about a week ago and would not leave. She said he became angry when she started looking through his cellphone. Pierce allegedly punched her in the back of the head.

Pierce was arraigned before District Judge Ethan Ward on two counts of simple assault, reckless endangerment and harassment and one count of disorderly conduct. He was placed in Washington County jail on $50,000 bond. Pierce is scheduled for a May 4 hearing before District Judge Gary Havelka.