Two Scranton women are facing criminal charges after an argument at a family birthday party, according to a criminal complaint.
Shinequa Lateefah Middleton, 48, of 1212 Schlager St., is charged with felony aggravated assault, simple assault and disorderly conduct.
Khadijah Jacquetta Jackson, 35, of 811 W. Elm St., is charged with two counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct.
According to the criminal complaint:
At about 8 p.m. on Monday, officers responded to 1107 Watson St. for the report of a domestic altercation.
When police arrived, they spotted a large group of women, yelling and pushing each other.
Officers called for backup and were able to separate the women and question them.
As officers were attempting to speak with Jackson, she continued to yell obscenities at the other women.
“She continually attempted to challenge them despite multiple warnings to refrain from becoming disorderly,” police wrote in an affidavit.
Jackson said she came to the residence for the birthday of her grandfather, Larry Middleton.
Jackson told police that, during the party, Nakita Syker, who lives with Larry Middleton, made comments that upset him and he left.
Jackson said her grandfather was allowing prostitutes to stay with him and didn’t think Syker belonged there.
Officers pointed out that Larry Middleton and Nakita Syker have three children together and live together at the residence.
Jackson was unable to provide further information to officers because she was repeatedly yelling at Syker.
Syker and her daughter, Sa’Dajya Mawltsby, told officers Jackson had shown up uninvited and was not welcome there.
Syker said the couple had asked Jackson to leave with a man they knew only as “Black.”
Jackson threw Mawltsby to the ground, causing a scrape to her right knee, and then hit Syker in the face.
Officers arrested Jackson for assaulting Mawltsby and Syker.
Following her arrest, Jackson’s mother, Latonya Jackson, and her aunt Shinequa Middleton arrived at the scene.
An argument broke out between Shinequa Middleton and Syker.
As police officers John Cantafio and Bradley Adams were attempting to deescalate the situation, Shinequa Middleton began to charge through them and swing her fists at Syker, standing behind them.
Middleton struck both officers in the face and hit Syker.
Preliminary hearings are scheduled for both women at 10:15 a.m. on Aug. 4 before District Judge Alyce Farrell.