ALLENTOWN, Pa. – The case of an Allentown Police Department officer accused of an unjustified assault during an arrest is headed to trial.

Abviud Carvajal faced a preliminary hearing Tuesday before District Judge Todd Heffelfinger, according to a news release from the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office.

Carvajal is charged with a felony count of Aggravated Assault – Attempts to Cause or Causes Bodily Injury with a Deadly Weapon and a misdemeanor charge of Simple Assault, the DA’s office said.

After Tuesday’s hearing, Heffelfinger ruled all charges would be held for court.

The DA’s office said Carvajal’s next court date is a formal arraignment scheduled for 8:45 a.m. on Jan. 8, 2026 before Judge James T. Anthony.

Carvajal remains free on $25,000 unsecured bail.

According to the news release, the investigation was referred to the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office by Chief Charles Roca of the Allentown Police Department.

The DA’s office said the investigation was conducted with full cooperation between APD and the District Attorney’s Office.

At 8 p.m. on July 23, 2025, Allentown Police were called to the 700 block of North 11th Street for a report of a threat involving a firearm.

The investigation revealed that a woman received a threatening phone call and pictures from her boyfriend displaying a firearm and threatening to come to her home and harm her, the DA’s office said.

According to the DA’s office, the investigation identified the boyfriend as Thomas Kravitz, of Philadelphia.

Authorities said officers were able to identify a truck belonging to Kravitz and performed surveillance in the area where the woman lives and after a period of time, they saw Kravitz arrive at the location in his truck.

The DA’s office said officers tried to stop Kravitz’s truck as Kravitz fled the scene, hitting an Allentown Police vehicle.

That led to a pursuit through Allentown and into Whitehall Township where Kravitz’s truck crashed at the intersection of 13th and Pennsylvania streets, according to the news release.

The DA’s office said the investigation included analyzing body camera and dash camera footage,

According to authorities, the footage showed Carvajal with his gun drawn approaching Kravitz. The video shows Kravitz standing at the rear of his truck in a position of surrender with both hands raised and empty, according to the DA’s office.

The DA’s office said Kravitz was being detained at gunpoint by another Allentown Police officer and was illuminated by flashlights and lights from the police vehicles on scene.

From the body camera, it is clear that Kravitz was empty handed and surrendering to officers, the DA’s office said in its news release. He remained standing with his empty hands over his head as Carvajal approached, authorities said.

According to the DA’s office, Kravitz was visible to Carvajal for at least four seconds before Carvajal hit Kravitz in the face with the muzzle of his gun.

In the time that Kravitz was standing with his hands up, he made no motions that could be construed as threatening and there was no evidence that he was reaching for a weapon, the DA’s office said.

Authorities said Kravitz was knocked to the ground with injuries to his face.

The DA’s office said Kravitz was taken to an area hospital for treatment of his injury.

Kravitz was arrested after the incident and charged with several felony and misdemeanor charges including illegal possession of a firearm, fleeing the police, and causing an accident involving injury while not properly licensed, according to the news release.

Kravitz is awaiting a formal arraignment scheduled for Feb. 3, 2026 before Judge Anna-Kristie Marks.

A loaded .22 caliber handgun was recovered in the 1200 block of Whitehall Street and it is believed Kravitz discarded the gun during the vehicle pursuit, the DA’s office said.

According to the DA’s office, the body camera and dash camera footage will not be released to ensure Carvajal’s right to a fair trial.