CLEARFIELD – A state prison inmate received a lengthy sentence Monday for assaulting two corrections officers.
Patrick Lee Wagner, 28, an inmate of SCI Houtzdale, was charged with three felony counts of aggravated assault. He pleaded guilty before President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman and was sentenced to serve three to six years in state prison.
Wagner is already serving a five- to 15-year state sentence for burglary, robbery, assault and related charges for cases from Lancaster County in 2012.
The latest charges are the result of an incident March 2 at the prison when Wagner hit one corrections officer with a chair. After another officer came to assist him, Wagner strangled him while threatening to kill him, according to the criminal complaint.
When he addressed the court, Wagner stated he realized what he did “wasn’t smart.” He explained the psychiatric medication he was on at the time of the assault was not working. He said he has blackouts, attention deficit disorder and is bipolar. He asked for a concurrent sentence.
Because three out of four of Wagner’s other cases include assault charges, Ammerman gave him a consecutive sentence, meaning the new sentence will start after he completes his current sentence.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the victim said Wagner was going to shower when he said he needed a towel and some other items. After he asked if he could speak with the laundry man, the CO told him he needed to shower or lock up.
The CO said he would speak to the laundry man for him. Wagner started down the steps, swearing as he walked. Again the victim ordered Wagner to shower or lock up. Wagner said “if you are gonna call me in, tell ‘em to suit up and come get me.”
At this point, the officer locked the door for the laundry man because he was concerned Wagner was going to fight with him if he didn’t have what he wanted. Once more he told Wagner to either shower or lock up.
Wagner went up the stairs, turning in the direction of the showers while still swearing. The officer believed Wagner was going to shower until Wagner spun around and came at him. The victim moved quickly, but he felt a chair hit off the floor and strike the back of his left calf.
When he turned around he saw Wagner grab another chair, which he swung at him. The officer blocked the chair with his left arm. Next, Wagner lunged at him and started pushing him backwards.
The second CO arrived and in an attempt to control Wagner, and took him to the floor. Wagner choked the second CO as they struggled.
When investigators spoke with this second victim, he stated when he arrived on the scene, he saw Wagner attempt to strike the other CO. He gave orders to cuff up but Wagner refused.
When he and Wagner were on the floor, Wagner put him in a headlock. Wagner told the officer he was going to choke him out and kill him. The officer was able to free himself and the two worked together to control Wagner until help arrived.
The first victim had an injury to his forearm and calf. The second victim had a bruised elbow, a scratch on his left eyelid and a few minor bruises.
Their story was confirmed by statements from other officers who arrived on the scene and the video surveillance footage.
Wagner told the police the first CO threatened to write him up and had approached him in an aggressive manor, swearing at him. Wagner claimed he “blacked out” because he felt disrespected and “just raged.”
