CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — A 32-year-old Sligo man pleaded guilty on Wednesday to three offenses relating to a domestic assault and the manufacture of methamphetamine.
Robert L. Ashbaugh, 32, pleaded guilty to simple assault, manufacturing methamphetamine, and possessing phenylpropanolamine — a substance used to make methamphetamine.
President Judge James Arner set Ashbaugh’s sentencing date for March 14.
In the domestic assault case, charges of resisting arrest, harassment, disorderly conduct, criminal mischief, and public drunkenness were dismissed.
In the methamphetamine case, charges of conspiracy, operating a meth lab, and use/possession of drug paraphernalia were dismissed.
Ashbaugh remains lodged in Clarion County Jail.
Assault case details:
Around 3:49 p.m. on Monday, October 9, the New Bethlehem Police Department was dispatched to 1402 Morris Street in Sligo for a report of a domestic dispute, according to a criminal complaint filed by New Bethlehem Police Officer Dale.
Around 4:07 p.m., Officers Dale and Clark arrived on the scene with Clarion-based State Police Trooper Rowe.
Family members and members of the Sligo Volunteer Fire Department were restraining Ashbaugh when police arrived.
According to the criminal complaint, Ashbaugh did not comply when police told him to put his hands behind back.
Eventually, Ashbaugh did, but he then attempted to kick officers while being placed in the police car and failed to obey multiple verbal commands.
The female victim told police that Ashbaugh was drunk when he began to fight with her, according to the criminal complaint.
Ashbaugh pushed the victim, struck her, jumped on her back, and knocked her to the ground. The victim suffered elbow and back injuries as a result of the altercation.
When family members tried to intervene, Ashbaugh “struck them and shoved them to the ground.”
Ashbaugh then walked to a nearby residence where he allegedly punched the side of a garage and pushed the homeowner to the ground, the criminal complaint states.
While inside the police car, Ashbaugh kicked the doors several times and cut his head when he slammed it off the window.
Ashbaugh was transported by to the Clarion Hospital Emergency Room for treatment and later placed in the Clarion County Jail.
Methamphetamine case details:
Ashbaugh was arrested in July 2017 after an investigation revealed that he manufactured methamphetamine in a Clarion County residence where he lived with his wife and children.
According to a criminal complaint filed by Clarion County Chief Detective William H. Peck, IV, the investigation began following a July 18 probation check on Ashbaugh’s wife, Amanda Ashbaugh, at their Morris Street residence in Sligo.
When police arrived, Robert Ashbaugh – who had pending arrest warrants – allegedly fled through the back door.
Detective Peck and the State Police were dispatched to the scene to provide assistance.
The Clarion County Probation Officer conducted a search of the residence and property.
Several items used to manufacture methamphetamine were discovered in a small camper parked in the front yard, including a one-pot methamphetamine bottle, a Liquid Lightning bottle, salt, and lye.
