Off-duty trooper accused of entering Connellsville home, assaulting resident

An off-duty state trooper from the Uniontown barracks is accused of forcing his way into a Connellsville home and assaulting a man, according to state police.

James T. Stevenson Jr., 29, of Connellsville, was charged Tuesday with felony aggravated assault and trespassing.

According to a criminal complaint, Stevenson arrived at an Oak Street home in Connellsville shortly before 1 a.m. Sunday, barging past the homeowner and entering without permission. Police said Stevenson then went to an upstairs bedroom and repeatedly punched the homeowner’s son, knocking him unconscious. He was treated at Highlands Hospital in Connellsville for a nose fracture, cut lip, facial contusion and other injuries.

Stevenson then accosted a woman who also was in the bedroom. The woman left the house with Stevenson, ran to her car and drove away, according to court documents.

The homeowner confronted Stevenson as he was leaving in his car, and Stevenson opened the door, causing the man fall and break his glasses, state police said.

Stevenson was arrested later on Sunday, charged with aggravated assault, trespassing, simple assault, burglary, criminal mischief and three counts of harassment. State police Communications Director Myles Snyder said Stevenson is suspended without pay.

Stevenson, who was inducted into the state police in 2021, was unable to post bail and taken to the Fayette County Prison, according to court records. A June 4 preliminary hearing is scheduled in District Judge Nathan Henning’s Uniontown court.