STATE COLLEGE, Pa. — A Penn State University administrator has been placed on leave after allegedly choking a woman during a domestic dispute Sunday in State College, authorities said this week.
Keith Brautigam, 44, is the university's interim vice president for Information Technology and chief information officer, a position he was appointed to in June, the school said on its website. He previously served as Penn State's deputy CIO and chief information security officer.
He has been employed by the university since 2014, according to the website.
Brautigam is charged with a felony count of strangulation and a summary account of harassment in connection to an alleged domestic dispute that occurred Sunday night at his State College home, according to a criminal complaint affidavit filed by Patton Township Police.
According to the complaint, the victim told police that she and Braitigam got into a verbal dispute in a guest bedroom that turned physical. Both Brautigam and the victim wound up on the bedroom floor, at which point he allegedly grabbed her by the throat and squeezed hard enough to prevent the victim from breathing, the victim reported.
The victim told police she feared for her life, and she sustained a broken tooth during the altercation.
Brautigam allegedly told police that he lost physical control of his body and may have choked the victim.
In a statement to WJAC-TV, the university said "it is aware of the serious charges" against Braudtigam and that he was placed on "immediate administrative leave."
Court records show Brautigam was arraigned on the charges and is awaiting a preliminary hearing on Nov. 1.
