A Butler man was arrested Friday night after he allegedly beat, strangled and threatened to kill his girlfriend.

Keith P. Reges, 34, was charged with felony strangulation, as well as misdemeanor counts of terroristic threats, simple assault and possession of a small amount of marijuana.He was arraigned Saturday morning by District Judge Bill O'Donnell, who placed a $10,000 cash bail on Reges, who was taken to Butler County Prison.According to charging documents, police responded around 10 p.m. Friday to the apartment where the alleged incident took place.Police said during an interview, the accuser said she came home from work and got into an argument with Reges, which escalated, when he punched her in the chest.“She stated that he then put his hand around her throat constricting her airway,” said the investigating officer. “(She) stated Reges then stopped and before leaving the residence stated to (the accuser) that if she called police that he would kill her in her sleep.”Police said they saw red marks and swelling on the girlfriend's chest and neck, consistent with her story.According to police, they found and arrested Reges a few blocks away from the apartment, and while searching him, they found three bags of marijuana in his pockets.A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for 9 a.m. April 19 before District Judge William Fullerton.

Reges