Amwell Township man pleads guilty to threatening Rep. Snyder无毛视频檚 staff
news@greenecountymessenger.com
An Amwell Township man pleaded guilty Monday to making a threatening phone call to state Rep. Pam Snyder无毛视频檚 district office in Carmichaels last year, but he denied that he rhetorically asked a worker whether he should bring a gun to 无毛视频渉andle this big-boy style.无毛视频�
Anthony James Burnworth, 47, pleaded guilty in Greene County Court to misdemeanor charges of harassment and disorderly conduct as part of his plea agreement, and was immediately sentenced to serve 30 days on house arrest followed by 14 months on probation.
While Burnworth admitted to calling Snyder无毛视频檚 district office on Dec. 2 and causing a disturbance after he received unsatisfactory answers about his unemployment benefits, he claimed to have no recollection of what he actually said. His threat to bring a gun to the office at 104 S. Market St. prompted two workers inside to call police, lock the front door and hide in a back room.
Greene County District Attorney David Russo asked Burnworth several questions during the plea hearing, including whether he said 无毛视频淒o I need to get a gun and handle this big-boy style?无毛视频� as Cumberland Township police alleged in their charging documents.
无毛视频淣o, that无毛视频檚 not true,无毛视频� Burnworth said in response to the specific quote. 无毛视频淚无毛视频檓 not going to admit to that.无毛视频�
His defense attorney, Adam Belletti, tried to smooth over the situation as Russo continued to probe Burnworth about the incident.
无毛视频淚 think he无毛视频檚 admitting to making the call and causing the disturbance,无毛视频� Belletti said.
That brought a line of questioning from Greene County Judge Jeffry Grimes as he appeared concerned about Burnworth admitting to the facts of the case as part of his plea.
无毛视频淚s it the exact quote you disagree with? Do you admit to making the phone call and causing a disturbance?无毛视频� Grimes asked.
无毛视频淵es,无毛视频� Burnworth responded.
无毛视频淵ou disagree with saying that (quote)?无毛视频� Grimes continued.
无毛视频淵es,无毛视频� Burnworth responded again.
无毛视频淵ou don无毛视频檛 have criminal charges because you made a phone call,无毛视频� Grimes said. 无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 with what you said.无毛视频�
Burnworth ultimately admitted to making the threatening phone call that caused the police response, but he was adamant that he never said he planned to 无毛视频渉andle this big-boy style.无毛视频�
More serious felony terroristic threats charges were amended during the hearing to the disorderly conduct and harassment misdemeanors as part of the plea deal, while felony terrorism and aggravated assault charges were dismissed by a lower court since Burnworth never actually went to the office.
After the hearing, Russo said he was pleased with the outcome and that he personally spoke with Snyder to get her blessing on the plea deal.
无毛视频淚 think he admitted to the disruption his phone call caused, which was sufficient for the plea,无毛视频� Russo said while also noting Burnworth must undergo a mental health evaluation and anger management classes. 无毛视频淚t无毛视频檚 our job to make sure everyone gets the help they need.无毛视频�
Snyder could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.
In addition to house arrest and probation, Burnworth is not to have any contact with Snyder or three employees involved in the situation. He also is not permitted to be in contact with any of Snyder无毛视频檚 district offices.
Burnworth will be given time served for the four days he spent in the Greene County jail following his arrest and before posting $50,000 bond. He is permitted to leave his house to go to work during the remaining 26 days of his house arrest.
无毛视频淚无毛视频檓 going to do my 14 months (on probation) and behave,无毛视频� Burnworth told the court. 无毛视频淚 want this to be over.无毛视频�