Lansdale Man Sentenced to State Prison for Violent Assault of Girlfriend

North Penn Now Staff•

Charles Rutledge IV, 27, of Lansdale.

A Lansdale man is heading to state prison, after pleading guilty to charges stemming from the violent assault of his girlfriend on Jan. 10.

As part of a negotiated plea agreement on Sept. 18, Charles Rutledge IV, 27, was sentenced to 4-to-8-years at State Correctional Institution Phoenix (formerly Graterford), followed by two years of probation, after pleading guilty to one felony count of aggravated assault and one misdemeanor count of making terroristic threats.

In addition to the sentence, Rutledge is prohibited from making contact with the victim, and is also prohibited from owning a firearm.

Additional charges of aggravated assault, recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, possession of an instrument of crime, criminal mischief, simple assault and harassment were dropped in exchange for the plea agreement.

According to the criminal complaint, Lansdale Borough Police were dispatched to the 800 block of Wedgewood Drive at 11:49 p.m. for a report of a domestic assault. Upon arrival, police encountered a visibly upset female victim, who informed them that she had been attacked by her boyfriend—identified as Rutledge. The victim informed police that she and Rutledge had gotten into an argument about a hookah that was knocked over, and she then went upstairs to call police. Rutledge then allegedly followed the victim, attempted to take her phone, and then beat her with open hand and closed fist across her upper body, face and head. The victim stated that Rutledge then grabbed her by the hair, pulled her to the ground and kicked her in the stomach twice, before smashing her phone on a dresser, the report states. Rutledge then grabbed a knife, stabbed the victim’s purse, broke her television and lunged at the victim with the knife, according to the report.

The report states that things calmed down between the victim and Rutledge afterwards, adding that the victim wanted to call 9-1-1 but couldn’t because her phone was broken and Rutledge was following her around the house, preventing her from leaving. The victim put her children to bed, and Rutledge attempted to make amends by saying he needed help.

A short time later, a male friend of the victim arrived at their home. The report states that Rutledge again began assaulting the victim, tearing off a ring and scratching the victim up and down her left arm. Rutledge then punched the victim on top of her head, and when she fell to the ground, he placed his foot on top of her head and began to push down, according to the report.

The victim stated that she began to fear for her life, as Rutledge attempted to "curb stomp” her and stated that she was going to die and never see her kids again, the report states. At that point, the male friend made a motion to intervene, but stopped when Rutledge threatened to slit his throat, according to the report. The victim then begged Rutledge to take her to a hospital, to which he agreed.

As Rutledge and the victim were heading to their vehicle, Rutledge reportedly changed his mind and attempted to bring the victim back inside. The report states that a neighbor asked the victim if she was OK, to which she replied "no” and asked them to call the police, who arrived a short time later.

The victim was taken to the hospital for treatment of scratches to her arm, contusions to her torso, face and head, and a fractured tooth.