According to court documents, Punxsutawney-based State Police filed criminal charges against 32-year-old Benjamin David Snair in Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock’s office.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred in Young Township in late April.
According to a criminal complaint released to exploreJeffersonPA.com in May 20, Punxsutawney-based State Police were dispatched to a location on Scotland Avenue Extension in Young Township, Jefferson County, around 1:18 p.m. on April 20 for a report of an active fight between two men, one of whom had a baseball bat.
At the scene, police spoke with a known victim who reported that he and a known female friend were driving from his residence to hers when they noticed a white work van following closely behind them, and the known female recognized the vehicle and said she believed the driver was Ben Snair, who she had previously had a relationship with.
The complaint notes the victim was aware that Snair had been following and attempting to contact the known woman recently and also knew the woman did not want to have contact with him.
According to the complaint, as they pulled into the driveway, the victim observed the van stopping at the bottom of the driveway in front of a garage and was then able to identify the driver as Snair. The victim told police Snair quickly exited the vehicle carrying a bright green aluminum baseball bat and reported he then told Snair he was on private property and wasn’t allowed to be there.
The victim stated Snair continued to approach him, and then Snair swung the bat one-handed and struck him in the shoulder and neck area. The victim wasn’t able to say how many times he was struck but told police he fought back to defend himself. Snair then fled the scene traveling north through several yards, still carrying the bat, according to the complaint.
Police observed swelling, bruising, and redness on the victim’s right shoulder, as well as bleeding on his left elbow, and redness, bruising, and swelling to the left side of his neck, the complaint indicates.
Police then spoke to the known female, who reported that after a brief relationship with Snair several months prior, she had a number of issues with him driving past her house and calling her phone, even after she blocked his number.
She went on to report that she was scared when Snair pulled in near her driveway and stayed in the vehicle while the victim walked down the driveway because she didn’t want to be involved. She stated she didn’t see what happened, but she did see Snair with a bright green baseball bat.
Police were unable to located Snair at the scene. However, while conducting a check of the van for identification, a small clear plastic container of a white crystal substance suspected to be methamphetamine and a clear glass smoking device containing suspected methamphetamine residue were found in a backpack on the front passenger seat, the complaint states.
Both items were seized, and a later NIK test indicated positive results for methamphetamine, according to the complaint.
Police also spoke to a witness who was working across the street when the incident occurred. The witness reported seeing two males yelling at one another up and down the road, with the shorter of the two males carrying a green baseball bat, the complaint indicates.
Snair was interviewed on April 21, at his residence.
According to the complaint, he reported he had numerous ongoing issues with the victim and said on April 20, he was in the Peebles’ parking lot speaking with a customer and saw the victim and the known woman leaving the parking lot. He reported he believed the victim had taken his sunglasses from his vehicle, so he began following them.
Snair reported that when he pulled into the known woman’s neighbor’s driveway, he exited the vehicle and was immediately struck in the face with a closed fist by the victim. He told police after the victim struck him, he struck the victim in the head and shoulder several times with his fists and elbows prior to fleeing up the street, the complaint states.
Snair reportedly denied ever using a baseball bat and said he only struck the victim with his fists and elbows.
Snair was arraigned in front of Magisterial District Judge Jacqueline J. Mizerock at 11:45 a.m. on May 8 on the following charges:
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2
– Simple Assault, Misdemeanor 3
– Possession of Controlled Substance, Misdemeanor
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor
– Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact, Summary
– Disorderly Conduct Engage In Fighting, Summary
Snair is currently free on $5,000.00 unsecured bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 11, in front of Judge Mizerock.