Affidavit: Councilman-Elect Pointed BB Gun at Son

Butler Councilman-elect Sean McNear faces charges of endangering the welfare of a child after authorities allege the 43-year-old choked, punched and pointed a loaded BB gun at his 7-year-old son over the past two years.

According to an arrest affidavit on file with the Morris County Courthouse, McNear was charged on Wednesday with one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of second-degree possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.

McNear was not immediately available for comment.

McNear, who currently serves as an alternate on the Butler Planning Board and serves as chairman of the Butler Republican Club, ran . He was set to be sworn into office in January.

The boy told authorities on Tuesday that McNear, his biological father, allegedly pointed a loaded BB gun at his face two years ago in his bedroom at their Butler home, the affidavit said.

The victim also stated that McNear allegedly choked and punched him last month, grabbing the victim's neck from the front, the affidavit said. The victim said McNear "punched him in the face with a closed fist," according to the affidavit, and that he allegedly has hit him before.

A witness, whose name was not released, reported to the on Nov. 18 that the victim was allegedly being physically abused by McNear.

The affidavit states a second witness, whose name was also not released, reported on Nov. 22 that she heard the victim screaming two years ago and ran into the bedroom and allegedly found McNear holding the BB gun and the victim in the room. The witness said the victim allegedly ran out of the room screaming, the affidavit said.

McNear's bail was set at $80,000 with no 10 percent option. He posted bail via a bondsman and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 14.

Butler Mayor Bob Alviene said he has received limited information about the arrest and "to be fair to all parties here, I don't know what happened."

"Right now, to tell you the truth, we don't know what transpired here yet," Alviene said.

When asked what the arrest means for the Butler Council and McNear being sworn in, Alviene said he could not comment because not enough information is known.