A Sheffield man will spend at least the next year in jail after being found guilty at trial on charges of simple assault and harassment.

Ronald J. Brown, 50, had been charged in April 2024 with misdemeanor simple assault, misdemeanor terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another and harassment. Brown pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, with several continuances on the court record.

In November 2024, Judge Maureen Skerda had scheduled a trial date, but Brown failed to appear in court. A bench warrant was issued in January 2025. Brown was found and taken to the Warren County Jail in July, at which point the Warren County Public Defender’s office motioned for an emergency furlough that was denied by Judge Gregory Hammond. Later in July Brown’s bail was revoked by Hammond.

Brown’s attorney then filed for a Writ of Habeas Corpus and emergency release in early September. In Pennsylvania, a writ of habeas corpus is a legal tool used to challenge the legality of a person’s detention or confinement. It is filed in the county where the order for detention was entered, and it can be used to argue that the government is holding someone without a lawful basis. A petition for a writ of habeas corpus can also be used before a trial to dismiss charges if the prosecution lacks a sufficient case. Brown’s motion was denied by Hammond, as was a motion requested by Brown’s attorneys to modify his bail.

Brown was found not guilty of a charge of terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another.

He was sentenced Friday by Judge Gregory Hammond to a minimum of 11 months and 29 days to a maximum of 1 year, 11 months in jail, with credit for 147 days time served as well as 90 days’ probation once he is released.

Other sentences in the Court of Common Pleas include:

– Amy J. Redick, 56, of Girard, Ohio, who was sentenced to 6 months probation after pleading guilty to a charge of DUI: high rate of alcohol (BAC .10-.16%) – first offense. Redick was also sentenced to pay $525 in fines and attend an Alcohol Highway Safety School and Victim’s Impact Panel.

– Tyler Engle, 35, of Pittsfield was granted an order to postpone sentencing. He earlier pleaded guilty to a charge of theft by unlawful taking – movable property.

– Angelica J. Braswell, 30, of Union City, Pa., was sentenced to five years of probation after pleading guilty to a charge of DUI: highest rate of alcohol (BAC .16% or more) – first offense. She was also sentenced to pay a $1,050 fine and to attend an Alcohol Highway Safety School and Victim’s Impact Panel.

– Jason D. Dziubinski, 26, of Jamestown, N.Y., again had sentencing postponed after pleading guilty on Sept. 25 to a charge of simple assault, with two charges of second-degree felony aggravated assault and two misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and a harassment charge not prosecuted. On Nov. 13, Dziubinski’s attorney, Jason Smith of Erie, filed a motion to withdraw the guilty plea. That motion was granted by Hammond. Dziubinski was also to be sentenced after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of obstruction administration of law/other government function, with charges of institutional vandalism of an educational facility, resisting arrest/other law enforcement disorderly conduct and public drunkenness not prosecuted. Smith filed a motion Nov. 13 to delay sentencing on the second case against Dziubinski, which Hammond granted. Smith filed a motion Friday to proceed to sentencing in both cases, but they were denied Monday by Judge Todd Woodin.

– Shane E. Tuszynski, 36, had sentencing postponed by Hammond. Tuszynski pleaded guilty in October to a charge of DUI: controlled substance – Schedule 2 or 3 – first offense, and three traffic citations.