Woman Choked In Bushwick Gym Until She Blacked Out

BUSHWICK, BROOKLYN — A man police described as homeless was arrested last Friday after he allegedly dragged a 26-year-old woman into a bathroom stall at the Bushwick gym where she was working and choked her until she lost consciousness, police told Patch. The woman was washing her hands in the bathroom of Green Fitness Studio at 232 Varet St. around 6:50 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 27 when a 35-year-old who said his name was Jase Daniells attacked her, cops said.

Court records show that the man's real name is Leon Howell. He gave multiple false names and birthdays to police when they arrived on the scene of the attack, according to police and the criminal complaint. Howell was charged with strangulation, assault, criminal possession of stolen property and false personation, cops said. He had multiple credit cards that weren't his in his pocket, as well as stolen cell phones and prescription meds, the NYPD told Patch.

The woman suffered swelling to her foot, bruising and soreness on her neck, a fractured skull and loss of consciousness, as well as substantial pain and fear when she was taken to the hospital, the complaint said.

Howell has been in prison three times for selling a controlled substance and for theft, public records from the New York State Department of Corrections show. He had been on parole for grand larceny since Oct. 20, 2016, according to the records. His next court appearance is Feb. 16 in Brooklyn District Court.

Lead photo of Green Gym entrance via Google Maps