CLEARFIELD – On Jan. 19, a couple visiting Clearfield from out of town was held at gunpoint by two men who took money and other things from them.
On Monday, the first of the two men learned that he will spend the next two to five years in state prison for his actions.
Justin A. Ward, 20, of Lancaster was before Clearfield County President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman after pleading guilty to robbery, a felony, and other charges.
Testimony at the preliminary hearing from one of the victims in the case revealed that both Ward and Angel Serrano (also charged in the incident) were at Aunt Mary’s Place in Clearfield on the night of the incident. The victim testified that he and a female friend left the bar, and Serrano and Ward got into the couple’s car. At that time, Ward produced a gun, holding it to the woman’s head. He then told the couple to give their money to the two men or he was going to “rock” them.
After that, Ward and Serrano fled the area but were apprehended in a nearby apartment by police.
Ward, who reportedly has an extensive criminal record in Lancaster County, was sentenced to spend two to five years in state prison. He was also ordered to serve four years’ probation and to have no contact with the victims.
Judge Ammerman said he imposed the state sentence due to Ward’s record in Lancaster County and due to the fact that a firearm was used in the incident.
Serrano is scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday before Judge Ammerman. He also faces a robbery charge.