DANVILLE – A Hoopeston man faces criminal charges for allegedly battering the Hoopeston Area High School principal at a football game about a week ago.

Michael R. Carswell, 28, was charged in Vermilion County Circuit Court on Friday with two counts of aggravated battery, Class 3 felonies. He also was charged with possession of marijuana, a Class 4 felony.

Prosecutors said Carswell battered Larry Maynard on school property on Oct. 10. They also said he had between 30 and 500 grams of marijuana.

Hoopeston police were called to a fight in progress at the high school football field, Chief Mark Drollinger said. He said witnesses saw Carswell battering Maynard as the principal was breaking up a fight involving two students.

Maynard was taken to Hoopeston Community Memorial Hospital, where he was treated for injuries to his face and knees and then released.

Drollinger said one of the students involved in the fight accused Maynard of choking him. However, Drollinger said, witnesses said Maynard was trying to stop the fight and was acting within his duties as a school official.

Carswell's preliminary hearing will be held later this month.