A landlord in Ohio is accused of whipping his tenant with a belt because he was behind on his rent. The Associated Press reported that 53-year-old Ron Kronenberger was charge dfor assault when the incident occurred on Jan. 23 and was due in  Warren County court on Thursday.

Police reported to the AP that Kroneberger told his 29-year-old tenant that if he was going to act like a child then he would treat him like one then started to hit him on the buttocks with a belt. The incident occurred at his office at Hometown Marketplace which is a supermarket he owns in Waynesville.

Waynesville Police Chief Gary Copeland said that the tenant submitted to the whipping because "he was scared and just wanted to get it over with."

The Dayton Daily News reported that  Kronenberger is a former chamber of commerce president and he was rewarded Waynesville's "Citizen of the Year" award in 2006.

The Dayton Daily News reported that the tenant owed Kronenberger more than $2000 rent.

Kronenberger is accused of striking the alleged victim four times on the bare buttocks with a belt. Pictures

"At this point, Chief left to attempt to make contact with Ron Kronenberger about the incident, in which Ron admits whipping (the victim) due to late rent payment in the amount of $2,800," Officer Daniel Bledsoe said according to The Dayton Daily News.

Kroenenberger missed his original arraignment and is charged with one count of assault, which is usually treated as a first degree misdemeanor.

"Older than the state of Ohio, the village of Waynesville offers a fascinating combination of history and culture as it developed in southwestern Ohio. This "Antiques Capital of the Midwest" and "Home of the Ohio Sauerkraut Festival" is a microcosm of our American heritage with its dreams and accomplishment," states waynesvilleohio.com.

Waynesville is known for their Saurkraut festival." The Ohio Sauerkraut Festival has grown from a small local event in 1970 to one of the premier craft festivals in the nation.  We jury our 450+ vendors to ensure that all items are handcrafted, and select items based on quality and variety," says the festival's website.