HARMONY — Felony charges were filed this week against a 31-year-old man stemming from the alleged beating and sexual assault of a woman in January at the suspect’s home on Main Street in the borough.

Zelienople police on Thursday charged Brian S. Gahagen with forcing himself on the woman Jan. 31. During the alleged assault, the victim told Gahagen to stop but he refused, according to court documents.

The defendant later punched the woman in the head, back and chest, and kicked her, police said. She reported the suspected assault the next day.

When asked why she did not immediately notify police, documents said, she claimed that Gahagen had broken her cell phone.

Police said they verified the broken phone. Investigators also noted the woman had a “large bump” above the left eye and a small cut on the outside of her nose.

She was taken to UPMC Passavant Cranberry and given a sexual assault examination.

The Butler Eagle is not identifying the woman due to the nature of the charges.

Police later interviewed Gahagen, who claimed he “didn’t remember any physical contact with (the victim),” documents said.

He told investigators, in apparently explaining his lack of memory that night, that he had three glasses of wine and “felt like he was drugged,” police said.

Officers in charging the defendant noted he had several injuries, including a bump on the back of his head and a bite mark on his chest.

He was unable to tell police how he got those injuries.

Gahagen is charged with aggravated assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and aggravated indecent assault, all felonies.

Additionally, he is charged with indecent assault, a misdemeanor, and harassment, a summary.

His preliminary arraignment is set for July 12 at the office of District Judge Wayne Seibel in Evans City.

Online court records list Michael Zunder as the defense attorney for Gahagen. Zunder did not immediately return a telephone call Friday.