A Walnutport man has been charged with assaulting his father over a rent dispute.

According to the affidavit of probable cause filed by officer Jonathan G. Roth of the Lehigh Township Police Department in the case against Sean Keeler:

At 9:59 p.m. Dec. 26, Lehigh Township Police Department was dispatched to a home on Lehigh Drive for a domestic incident.

Police said a man was in extreme pain and that his son, Keeler, 25, was upset because he told him that unless the rent is paid, they would have to move out.

According to police reports, Keeler pushed him down to the ground and bear-hugged him, which is when he believes Keeler broke his ribs.

The father said at some point Keeler grabbed him around the chest/neck area, partially cutting off his breathing.

The father was taken by Northampton Regional EMS to the hospital.

Sean Keeler then took off from the residence, but later returned and told police his father pushed him first and he went to the floor.

Keeler said that his father grabbed his legs and wouldn’t let him go.

Keeler is on bail from an arrest in July when he was charged with assaulting his father.

Keeler said the most recent arrest will probably not allow him into ARD for the first case.

Roth contacted Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Scott Gaugler, who approved the charges.

Keeler faces charges of simple assault and harassment.

Keeler is in the Northampton County Prison in lieu of $50,000 cash bail, and scheduled to have a preliminary hearing Jan. 10 before District Judge Nicholas E. Englesson of Bethlehem.