CLEARFIELD – A Curwensville man charged with aggravated assault for injuring a man’s face, pleaded guilty to lesser charges Tuesday during plea and sentencing court.
Police say Mason Michael Guelich, 23, and the victim were at a camp on Greenwood Road in Pike Township on Dec. 23, 2022, when the incident occurred.
According to the affidavit, the two men had a slight altercation inside the camp before they decided to “go outside to talk.”
One witness said as the victim was turning away from shutting the door, Guelich punched him in the face. Another witness told investigators that he saw Guelich “stomping” on the victim.
The victim suffered a two-centimeter scalp laceration, which required three staples, a concussion and a fractured temple bone under his eye, according to the report.
In sentencing court last month, the victim addressed the court explaining how the attack changed his appearance. He was thankful that he did not lose his eyesight. He stated that his mistake that night was “trying to reason with someone who does not care about anyone but himself.”
He was not sure if Guelich was wearing steel-toed boots with which he “brutally” kicked him in the face. He still lacks feeling in his face and gets headaches, he stated.
Although he is getting better physically and mentally, he still thinks about it and has nightmares.
His mother also spoke last month, saying when she heard her son was being taken to the hospital, she felt “my whole world collapse.” Her son had to have facial surgery and suffered both muscle and nerve damage.
After this incident, she stated her son changed from a “straight A student” to someone who struggles with his memory and has a “permanent disfiguration.” She asked Judge Paul E. Cherry to consider all their suffering.
“I think he is dangerous to the public. He had no mercy for my son.”
At that time, Cherry continued the sentencing hearing to consider it further.
On Tuesday, First Assistant District Attorney Leanne Nedza commented that this was not just an injury because the victim is affected by this daily with headaches.
She said if ever there was a case that required a higher range sentence, it was this one. She asked Cherry to give him a four-month jail sentence and for him to go “to jail today.”
“Last year he (the victim) spent Christmas in the hospital with his face beaten. He (Guelich) should miss Christmas with his family too.”
She also asked for the maximum amount of probation.
Christopher Mohney, attorney for Guelich, stressed to Cherry that Guelich has been working at a good job and doing well. He supplied letters from Guelich’s employer and others in support of him. He noted Guelich’s limited criminal record.
Cherry reviewed a victim impact statement prior to announcing his sentence, which he said was “fair.”
Guelich will serve four months to one year in the county jail with 3 ½ years of probation for simple assault, recklessly endangering another person and harassment. Cherry allowed Guelich to start his sentence on Dec. 26.