A Lansford man faces multiple charges after he first was charged with trying to choke a woman and then brought drugs into the county prison.

John Hower, 34, of the 200 block of West Water Street, has been charged by Lansford police with simple assault, harassment, possession of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver. He was also charged by Nesquehoning police with contraband and possession of a controlled substance.

According to the affidavits filed by the two departments, the incident began at 12:51 a.m. Dec. 14 at his residence.

Lansford police said they were dispatched there and informed by the victim that she and Hower were involved in an argument. She told police he was throwing objects, including glass, at the victim; put his hands around her neck in an attempt to choke her, and lifted her off the ground.

Police spoke to Hower, who admitted to the assault.

At that time, police found an orange hypodermic needle on Hower, who later told police he had a small bag of heroin under the couch in the living room, near where a child was situated.

Hower was taken into custody and charged in the office of Magisterial District Judge Casimir Kosciolek of Lansford before being taken to the Carbon County Correctional Facility.

According to Nesquehoning police, officers were called by the prison to report that Hower had contraband in the booking unit of the jail.

The prison sergeant reported that Hower had heroin in his sock, as well as dropped bags in his cell.

Hower admitted to having the drugs in the tongue of his shoe so he wouldn’t get sick from withdrawal. A total of 27 packets of heroin were collected from Hower.