CLEARFIELD – A Clearfield man accused of assault pleaded guilty Monday during sentencing court in Clearfield County.
Peter Grant Bungo, 21, 148 Parker Rd., Clearfield, an inmate of the jail, also pleaded guilty to prohibited offensive weapon, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, three counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and harassment.
He was sentenced by President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman to 90 days to one year in jail and three years consecutive probation. He was fined $215 plus costs and over $4,100 in restitution. He was ordered to complete anger management classes and attend drug/alcohol counseling.
Prior to sentencing, the victim addressed the court saying that this was a “wake-up call” for Bungo. He’d been in jail before, but this is the first time he missed out on something while doing time, she said, referring to his child. She told Ammerman she wanted to have contact with Bungo.
His mother also commented that he watched his father “do the same things” when he was growing up and he had said he would never do it.
The victim’s father stated that he thinks Bungo needs help and his “drug addiction is a big part of this.”
Bungo apologized and said he had “no excuse” for what he had done. He asked for a chance to prove that he has changed.
Ammerman warned Bungo that if he assaulted the victim again, he would send him to state prison.
“You need to straighten up,” he told Bungo.
The charges stem from an incident in Lawrence Township on Oct. 28. According to the affidavit of probable cause, police were called to a Parker Road residence for a domestic disturbance. They were advised that the victim had been hit in the mouth and was bleeding. Bungo had been smashing items in the residence and was attempting to leave on foot. They were also warned there was a four-month-old baby in the home.
Before they got to the residence they received a call telling them Bungo had taken a backpack and walked into the woods. He returned without the bag and began arguing with the victim’s father who was now at the scene.
When officers arrived, Bungo was seen attempting to enter the wooded area. He was chased down by officers and taken into custody. He had a large gash on his left hand that was bleeding but he denied any medical needs or physician attention.
Bungo told the officers he and his girlfriend were staying at her parent’s residence because they had a new baby.
An argument started after she accused of him of skipping out on doing community service. They both began to yell and he pushed the victim, causing her to fall. She pushed him back as things began to escalate, he said.
He smashed several items in the house because he was upset the victim wanted the relationship to be over. Bungo denied striking the victim.
The victim told the police that they were involved in a verbal argument first and things got out of hand, confirming that part of his story. After she told him the relationship was over, she followed him to the basement where he pushed and struck her. He grabbed her by the hair and struck her in the mouth approximately five or six times, she said.
Her lip and the interior of her mouth were swollen and blood was still present when she spoke with officers. She said she tried to get away from him as he continued to smash things in the residence. At one point, she locked him out of the home but he kicked multiple doors trying to reenter.
The victim decided to open the door to avoid more damage. Once back inside, Bungo flipped over a recliner in the living room almost striking the infant that was on the floor during the altercation. When the victim tried to call for help, he smashed the home phone.
At another point, he left with a backpack and went into the woods. Bungo returned and started to fight with her father, she said.
The victim was transported to Penn Highlands Clearfield for treatment. She was diagnosed with a secondary hematoma and contusion.
During their visit, the officers observed damage to multiple walls and doors. The glass oven door had been smashed and the home phone was ripped off the wall.
Officers later located the backpack in the woods. Inside was a bong with marijuana residue, a grinder, rolling papers, and brass knuckles which are a prohibited offensive weapon.