CLEARFIELD – A DuBois man accused of breaking into a Glen Richey residence and assaulting an occupant was sentenced to state prison during plea and sentencing court in Clearfield County.
Ned Carmen Caldwell, III, 49, 351 Captain Kidd Rd., 876 Treasure Lake, DuBois, pleaded guilty to aggravated assault, criminal trespass, and two counts each of recklessly endangering another person, terroristic threats, stalking, and criminal mischief. He was sentenced by Judge Paul E. Cherry to nine months to two years in state prison. He must pay more than $1,000 in restitution and complete anger management counseling.
The charges stem from an incident on Sept. 20 when Caldwell broke into a home in Lawrence Township and chased the occupants upstairs.
Prior to sentencing, the victims addressed the court.
Cindy Weddle, who is Caldwell’s ex-wife, told Cherry that she suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder as a result of this and is both afraid and depressed. This episode impacted her life and she remains in fear of Caldwell. She asked the judge to give him the maximum sentence.
Brian Hoppe said he couldn’t “overstate the impact of the crimes” Caldwell had committed. He explained he and Weddle were “utterly terrorized” by Caldwell, who had threatened them prior to this incident and added that he thinks Caldwell will continue to threaten them.
He explained that on the night of the assault, a screaming Caldwell smashed through a door, causing them to run upstairs. He knew Caldwell had a license for a firearm, and they were “in fear for our lives.” Caldwell continued to smash through a bedroom door and pointed his firearm at them. He physically beat Hoppe until a neighbor came in and was able to get the gun away from him.
Hoppe asked the judge to give Caldwell the maximum sentence. He also stated that he prays Caldwell gets the “help that he needs” to be a law abiding citizen, and “we can live in peace.”
Gary Knaresboro, attorney for Caldwell had several people speak in Caldwell’s defense. They stated he was a “good guy” who was helpful person and a dedicated father.
Knaresboro stated that Caldwell had never been arrested before and that his “emotions got away with him.”
Caldwell spoke for himself, admitting he acted in the “heat of passion.” He said he had never acted this way before and wasn’t going to let it happen again.
Cherry called what Caldwell had done “despicable” and “downright nasty.”