CLEARFIELD – Two area men facing serious charges signed plea agreements prior to Thursday’s jury selection.
During court on Tuesday, the guilty plea for a Curwensville man accused of sexually assaulting a Chester Hill woman was officially put on the record.
Daniel Irwin Swatsworth, 59, was originally charged by state police with rape, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, sexual assault and indecent assault in connection with an incident at the victim’s home in May 2022.
Deputy District Attorney Tami Fees stated that the plea is to one added felony count of sexual extortion. She added that the victim is in agreement with this and is happy to have a resolution to this matter.
Later she clarified that the minimum sentence for this charge will be three months incarceration.
Judge Paul Cherry noted after completing an oral colloquy with Swatsworth to ensure he understood the conditions of the agreement, that jury selection scheduled for this case on Feb. 8 is cancelled along with the trial that was set for April.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, the victim, who suffers from cerebral palsy and other medical issues, told police that Swatsworth was at her home on May 16, 2022 in preparation for the installation of air conditioning unit the next day.
He smelled marijuana when he went into the home, and after he finished his work, he warned her, “you had better be careful”, referring to her usage of the drug for which she has a medical marijuana card.
Swatsworth reportedly implied that if she did him a sexual favor, he would forget about smelling the marijuana. She refused and sat on a couch.
Instead of leaving, he walked over to her and stood close as she “told him no repeatedly.”
Police say he pulled his pants down and pushed himself into her mouth. She said she was afraid he would harm her or her young children who were asleep in their bedroom.
When he was finished, he said “we are good,” and then left, according to the criminal complaint.
The victim was able to tell investigators that Swatsworth has a large scar on his left hip, which was confirmed.
In an interview with troopers, Swatsworth initially denied having any sexual contact with her but in a third interview admitted to receiving oral sex from her.
The second case involves Anthony Dominic Guy, 51, of West Decatur, who was charged by the PA Attorney General’s office with felony possession with intent of a controlled substance, misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia in relation to a search of his home by state parole agents in March.
Authorities allegedly found 577 grams of crystal methamphetamine, $9,900 in cash, an “owe sheet,” a gun and drug paraphernalia during the search.
Guy has agreed to plead guilty to felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, along with misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Fees stated his minimum sentence will be 42 months.
Guy is also facing felony drug charges in a Blair County case for allegedly possessing over one pound of methamphetamine, according to previous reports. Online court documents indicate his bail in that case is $200,000, which he has not posted.
After his oral colloquy with Guy, President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman cancelled Guy’s appearance for jury selection in Clearfield County on Thursday.
Both men will be scheduled for sentencing after a pre-sentence investigation is complete, within 60 days.