A 31-year-old Nazareth man accused of shooting a gun and hitting an occupied car in a dispute over a hermit crab is headed to possible trial in Northampton County Court.

Mario Maisonet (Courtesy photo)

Mario Maisonet, of the first block of Easton Road, appeared Tuesday before District Judge John Capobianco for a preliminary hearing. Dressed in a brown prison jumpsuit, Maisonet didn't speak during the hearing, borough police said.

Two witnesses provided testimony, including Nazareth Police Officer Randall Pompei, who is prosecuting the case with Northampton County Assistant District Attorney Kendahl Barsony Difelice, and Christian Roman.

Maisonet is charged in the April 3 shooting with with six counts of aggravated assault, three counts of simple assault, three counts of recklessly endangering another person, two counts of harassment, two counts of disorderly conduct and one count of endangering the welfare of children.

Capobianco determined there was enough evidence to send the case to county court. Following the hearing, Pompei said he was unaware of any plea arrangements between prosecutors and Maisonet.

Kyree Blair Sr., the attorney representing Maisonet, could not immediately be reached for comment following the hearing.

Maisonet was arguing with Christian Roman on April 3 at a home in the first block of Easton Road, police said. The argument was about Roman's son -- soon to be Maisonet's step-son -- wanting to bring a hermit crab into Maisonet's home, police said.

Roman and his girlfriend were returning the boy from a weekend visit, police said. Maisonet took out a black handgun and pointed it at Roman, police said.

The 10-year-old boy and Roman's girlfriend, Amber Uricoechea, were near a 2002 Chevrolet when Maisonet fired a shot into the left front hubcap of the car, according to police. Christian Roman was about three feet away with his son next to him, police said.

Maisonet then allegedly went to the front of the car and pointed the Ruger 9mm at Christian Roman and Uricoechea, who were both in Roman's Chevy.

Maisonet left without firing another shot, police said. There were no reported injuries.

The gun was later recovered at the Palmer Township home and a spent 9mm casing was found at the shooting scene, according to police.

Eyewitnesses backed up Christian Roman's description of events, police said. Maisonet later allegedly admitted he fired the shot.

He is being held at Northampton County Prison in lieu of $100,000 bail.

Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. Follow her on Twitter @pamholzmann. Find lehighvalleylive.com on Facebook.