Four-time Eclipse Award-winning trainer Chad Brown was arrested Aug. 17 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on a Class A
misdemeanor charge of criminal obstruction of breathing, the Saratoga Springs Police Department told BloodHorse Aug. 18.
According to the police department, a complaint was taken at 11 p.m. ET Wednesday regarding an incident that occurred involving Brown, 43, and an acquaintance known to him.
According to local reports from Brown's Thursday morning arraignment in Saratoga Springs City Court, assistant district attorney
Kayla Potter told Judge Francine Vero that Brown pushed a woman down a flight of stairs at his home, pinned her to the ground, and tried to choke her before throwing her out of the house.
Brown's attorney, Joseph Gerstenzang, told
the judge the woman who was attacked broke into Brown’s house in the middle of the night and Brown was defending himself. Gerstenzang, who entered a not guilty plea on Brown's behalf, did not return a call from BloodHorse seeking comment.
Brown was released Thursday morning on a $2,500 cash bail. He will be required to appear before Judge Vero at 9 a.m., Sept. 2, according to Saratoga Springs City Court.
Local reports said Judge Vero issued an order of protection for the alleged victim, permitting only "incidental contact" between herself and Brown, since both work at Saratoga Race Course.
New York state penal code 121.11 defines criminal obstruction of breathing or blood circulation as applying pressure on the throat or neck of an individual with the intent to impede the normal breathing or circulation of the blood of another person, or blocking the nose or mouth of such person with the same intent.
A Class A misdemeanor conviction in New York carries a maximum penalty of one year in jail or three years of probation.
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