A Nesquehoning man’s aggravated assault case has been heard by two Philadelphia lawyers. And they are going to represent him pro bono.

On Aug. 7, William Morales was arrested for assaulting 29-year-old Mark Mead, after Morales said he caught Mead sexually assaulting his 1-year-old son, according to police.

Mead was supposed to be helping Morales move that day.

When officers arrived on scene just before 1 p.m., they found Morales detaining Mead, who said he had been hit with a gun.

Mead also told police that he was held in the home for two hours before authorities were called.

Mead was charged with one count of statutory sexual assault, a first degree felony. Morales faces a second degree felony charge of aggravated assault. Both are being remanded at the Carbon County Correctional Facility.

The two men’s arrests made headlines.

That is how David Strenfel, of Chester County based law firm Luff Strenfel, said he heard about Morales’ case.

Strenfel passed one news report along to his partner, Jonathon Luff. He told Luff he wanted to offer aid to Morales and his family.

“I personally believe it’s an injustice,” Strenfel said.

Luff said after reading about the case, he was confused. He did not know why Morales had been arrested.

“This can’t be the story,” he thought.

“It’s just unfortunate that this man was arrested for something that, on the surface, he’s doing nothing but protecting his family,” Luff said. “This is something, usually, people get awarded for, get medals for, get celebrated for. Yet, for some reason, he’s (Morales) sitting in a jail cell.”

Strenfel and Luff decided to take up Morales’ case for free.

To Luff, Morales being apprehended is evidence of a larger trend in the criminal justice system, where “we’re a little too quick to arrest someone,” he said.

“This case has a shocking headline, but it’s not uncommon,” Luff said. “Unfortunately, for every one Mr. Morales who does get the media coverage, there’s hundreds of Mr. Moraleses who don’t.”

According to court documents, Morales is still awaiting a preliminary hearing, which has been continued until Sept. 25.

Mead, who told police the assault was an accident, has a hearing scheduled for the same day.