Tuesday, May 2, 2023

Shenandoah Man Faces Aggravated Assault Charges for Hitting Man with Bat During Altercation

A Shenandoah man is locked up in Schuylkill County Prison for hitting a man with a baseball bat during an altercation.

According to Court Documents, on Saturday, April 29, 2023, just before 10:30am, the Pennsylvania State Police from Frackville responded to 116 North Bower Street, Shenandoah, for a report of an assault.

At the scene, Troopers learned that during the night, Franklin Sterner, 37, had been woken up in the middle of the night, by someone yelling "Get Off Me".  Sterner reportedly found a man, identified as Juan Rivas, on top of his girlfriend.  Rivas had been staying at the home with Sterner but is considered homeless.

An altercation occurred where punches were thrown between both men, until Sterner grabbed a baseball bat and struck Rivas twice in the head.

Rivas was transported to an area hospital for his injuries to his head. 

Sterner was charged by Trooper Andrew Moyer with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, and harassment.

Sterner was arraigned by on-call Magisterial District Judge Edward Tarantelli and locked up in Schuylkill County Prison on $10,000 straight cash bail.

He remains in prison with a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 18th, 2023 before Magisterial District Judge Anthony Kilker.