An Oil City man is headed to state prison in the wake of an assault on two state troopers that took place in Deerfield Township.

Mitchell R. Bills, 40, was sentenced on aggravated assault and related offenses Friday by President Judge Maureen Skerda.

According to the affidavit of probable cause, Pennsylvania State Police responded Aug. 4 to a report of a passed out male in a running vehicle on Route 27 in Deerfield Township. A trooper reached into the vehicle to open the door, according to the affidavit. “Bills then kicked (the trooper’s) hand in an attempt to keep him from opening the door.”

The trooper told Bills he would be tased if he did not get out, according to police.

As the trooper began to tase him, Bills tried unsuccessfully to take the taser, police said.

“While Bills was being physically removed from the vehicle, Bills kicked (a trooper) in the groin area and punched (another trooper) in the face resulting in laceration over the right eye.”

“Bills continued to fight with troopers and attempted to get back into the truck,” according to the affidavit.

It took multiple taser attempts for troopers to eventually subdue Bills.

Bills’ attorney, Charles Rosen, acknowledged Friday that a mental health component as well as family circumstances at play in this incident.

District Attorney Rob Greene acknowledged a 10-year gap between criminal incidents.

“Now it seems like we’re back at it again,” he said.

Skerda said his record includes drug charges as a juvenile, a methamphetamine chemical conviction as well as three DUIs.

“I do need help,” Bills said, stressing that he did not “want to be a disappointment” to his family.

Skerda added that he had been caught making hooch in the jail. She told Bills that past trauma does not “negate” being held accountable for conduct.

Bills was sentenced to 24 to 48 months in state prison with credit for 289 days time served, $1,250 in fines and fees and given priority for drug and alcohol treatment programs in the state prison system on a count of aggravated assault; six months to one year incarceration, $1,050 in fines and fees, the alcohol highway safety school program and a 12 month license on a third-offense DUI as well as $70 each on charges of careless driving and restrictions on alcoholic beverages.