PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (EYT) – A Punxsutawney man accused of making threats of violence against a couple waived his preliminary hearing yesterday.
Court documents indicate the following charges against 48-year-old George A. Rutledge Jr., of Punxsutawney, were waived for court on Tuesday, January 22:
- Terroristic Threats W/Intent To Terrorize Another, Felony 3 (4 counts)
- Harassment – Communicate Lewd, Threatening, Etc. Language, Misdemeanor 3 (4 counts)
- Disorderly Conduct-Unreasonable Noise, Misdemeanor 3 (4 counts)
Rutledge also waived a preliminary hearing on two second-degree felony charges for Possession of Firearm Prohibited.
The charges have been transferred to the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas.
Rutledge remains lodged in the Jefferson County Jail after failing to post $50,000.00 cash bail.
Details of the case:
According to a criminal complaint filed by Officer Andrekovich, of the Punxsutawney Police Department, around 10:30 a.m. on December 30, two known victims reported that George A. Rutledge Jr. had been making strange statements on Facebook. The male victim stated that he also reported a complaint of threats being made to him while he was inside his residence around 1:00 a.m. on December 21.
According to the complaint, the victim stated that he was home with his wife and two children sleeping when they heard Rutledge outside their son’s bedroom window screaming. The female victim reported that she got up and at some point videotaped Rutledge with her phone while he was in front of their residence screaming.
Rutledge was allegedly yelling he “knows who they are,” stating the description of the victims’ residence, and also screamed he “doesn’t care who they call to come,” as well as screaming an expletive several times.
According to the complaint, Rutledge requested the male victim to come outside, and he “will beat his [expletive] and [expletive] his woman.”
Rutledge also allegedly said that he would fight the victim anytime, anywhere, and he “will kill him.”
The complaint notes that Rutledge’s female friend could be heard yelling at Rutledge, causing him to walk over to his residence. The victim lifted her camera, and in the video, Rutledge can be seen walking on his porch, yelling back at the victim’s residence “you faggot.”
The victims provided Officer Andrekovich copies of a Facebook post that clearly show semi-automatic firearms inside the residence, and the male victim stated that he has heard gunshots coming from behind his residence on several occasions.
According to the complaint, Rutledge also posted a comment that he “doesn’t want to hear any crying when their families get a call to come and identify them at the morgue.”
Based on the investigation, Rutledge was arraigned on Tuesday, January 8, in Judge Mizerock’s office.
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