A Butler County resident has filed a federal complaint against an off-duty constable working at Walmart and a security company for allegedly violating his rights during a heated physical confrontation at Butler Commons Walmart in April.

In his complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, John Schirra alleges that Thomas C. Marak, a Pennsylvania constable with Muddy Creek Township, attacked him as he was trying to enter the Walmart on April 9.

The confrontation began with pushing from both sides before Marak used pepper spray on Schirra several times and attempted to arrest him, according to police. The incident led to Marak facing several criminal charges for allegedly assaulting Schirra, who is not facing any criminal charges.

Butler Township police were called to the store during the incident and they encountered Marak in the parking lot trying to put handcuffs on Schirra.

Marak told township officers that Schirra got aggressive with him when Schirra tried to enter the store without waiting in line.

But when police checked surveillance video they found Marak was the aggressor.

Read more in Friday's Butler Eagle.