Kansas City firefighter charged with domestic assault
A 33-year-old Kansas City firefighter has been suspended without pay after being accused of choking a woman and forcing her to perform a sex act on him after the two argued Wednesday.
Clay County prosecutors charged Anthony J. Polito of Kansas City, North, on Thursday with second-degree domestic assault in connection with the incident outside the fire station in the 4800 block of North Brighton Avenue. Bond was set at $50,000.
Polito joined the department in October 2006, Fire Department officials said. They confirmed they are aware of the criminal charges and are investigating the incident, but they declined to comment further.
According to court records:
The woman went to Polito’s workplace at his request. They sat in her vehicle in the parking lot and talked. After the woman’s ex-boyfriend called her cellphone and sent her a text, Polito grew angry. He allegedly yelled at the woman, grabbed her neck and choked her.
Polito allegedly punched the woman twice in her side, backhanded her once in the face and punched her in the right arm.
The woman later told police she had trouble breathing and gasped for air. She tried to draw attention to the assault by kicking the steering wheel to make the car horn sound.
After the assault, the woman said she began to cry. Polito allegedly told her, “Stop crying, suck it up.” She said Polito then forced her to kiss him, touch his genitals and perform a sex act.
Polito is scheduled to appear in court Monday, according to court records.
To reach Glenn E. Rice, call 816-234-4341 or send email to grice@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 12:55 PM.