A Summit Township man was accused of raping and strangling a woman, and threatening to make her suffer a “slow and painful death,” according to charges filed by state police Monday, July 31.

The woman escaped the assault with a broken nose, and police arrested Thomas L. Shuler, 37, Friday in connection to the alleged incident.

Shuler already was on monitored house arrest for three prior cases of simple assault when police took him into custody. He was placed in Butler County Prison, where he remains in lieu of $10,000 bond.

He was charged Monday with felonies rape, aggravated assault, strangulation and misdemeanors simple assault and terroristic threats.

Police said the woman, Shuler, and a few others were eating dinner at a residence in Summit Township on Thursday night. The woman reported that during the meal, Shuler detailed different ways he wanted to harm people.

According to court documents, Shuler described strangling people in vehicles with zip ties, said he had a gun in his truck and that he would “kill anyone who gets in his way.”

The woman told police Shuler’s behavior frightened her.

After people left the residence that evening, police said the woman asked Shuler where his gun was. She said Shuler became irate and cornered the woman in the living room.

According to documents, Shuler punched the woman in the face, pulled her by the hair and banged her head off a wall. He then body-slammed her to the floor and choked her until she passed out, police said.

The woman recounted to police that she woke up in a pool of blood, with Shuler nearby wiping it up.

Police said the two then went to the shower, where Shuler washed the woman’s hair and cleaned her body.

According to court documents, the woman said Shuler raped her twice while they were in the bathroom. She told police she did not consent, but was too afraid to refuse or fight her assailant.

Police said the woman said Shuler threatened her with “slow and painful death” during the assault.

The woman contacted police before 4 a.m. Friday saying she was on her way to a hospital.

Shuler was arrested at the Summit Township residence. He later refused to be interviewed by police.

Officers collecting evidence later found blood and clumps of hair in various location throughout the residence.

During her interview at the hospital Friday, police observed injuries to the woman’s eyes, nose, lips, neck, hands and ribs.

Police said the woman suffered a nasal fracture.

Shuler’s will be arraigned Tuesday before District Judge Lewis Stoughton. His preliminary hearing is scheduled Aug. 15.