Ex-Girlfriend Speaks Out After PA Trooper Accused Of Strangling Her

DAUPHIN COUNTY, PA — The ex-mistress of a Pennsylvania state trooper accused of strangling and committing her to a mental hospital against her will said she wants to "clear her name" and disprove claims she was suicidal, according to an interview with The New York Post.

Michelle Perfanov told the Post video of 37-year-old Ronald Davis tackling her and restraining her for several minutes at a Pennsylvania state forest "speaks for itself."

"I was not expecting to be a political football. I just want to clear my name," Perfanov, 37, told The Post on Tuesday. "It's just unfortunate that it had to get to that point. I just don't want everybody's family and everybody's stuff dragged into this."

• RELATED: PA State Trooper Charged For Strangling Ex, Committing Her: Reports

Davis, of Williamstown, was charged with strangulation, unlawful restraint, assault and false imprisonment following the off-duty incident on Aug. 21, Pennsylvania State Police said in a news release.

Davis, a trooper since March 2015, was based out of Troop L, which serves Berks, Lebanon and Schuylkill counties, authorities said. He is married with a family, according to the Dauphin County District Attorney's Office.

Davis is accused of trying to convince other troopers that Perfanov was suicidal by telling them she was acting strange and depressed and that she had threatened to throw herself off a cliff, according to charging documents filed by the Dauphin County district attorney.

According to prosecutors, Davis contacted Dauphin County Crisis Intervention and told them he was a trooper to receive an involuntary mental health commitment order for her. He also provided his work email to obtain the order, documents said.

The commitment order was approved and when troopers could not locate Perfanov, Davis said to them, "I'll take care of it myself," according to court documents.

Davis then located Perfanov and a struggle ensued, court documents said. According to authorities, Davis tackled Perfanov and restrained her. He also put her in a wrestling-style hold. Court documents said Perfanov told him multiple times she couldn't breathe.

During the encounter, prosecutors said Davis asked a bystander to film the altercation. After reviewing the video, prosecutors said Perfanov "appeared to genuinely lack understanding on why she is being restrained." At no point did Davis indicate he was acting in an official capacity as a trooper, prosecutors said.

Perfanov was then taken to a Lehigh Valley Hospital-Schuylkill for evaluation, court documents said. After her release, the woman told investigators Davis would threaten her with statements like "I know you're not crazy, I'll paint you as crazy," and "I know the law," documents said.

Investigators later determined Perfanov was not a threat to herself, according to prosecutors.

In the video provided by prosecutors showing the encounter between Davis and Perfanov, Davis slams Perfanov to the gravel and pinning her there. "Get off of me," Perfanov says as she tries to fight back. Davis is later seen pinning her against a car.

"What is wrong with you? I don't need help, I just need to get away from you," Perfanov tells Davis in the video.

In her interview with the Post, Perfanov said the abuse she suffered was "merely one example of an age-old societal problem."

"This is a bigger picture issue for a lot of people. This has been going on since the dawn of time," she told the publication. "Most people don't trust the cops. And it's funny — me dating a cop."