Charges reduced in knife, gun confrontation outside Praha Hotel
A Tarentum man involved in a disturbance at the Praha Hotel earlier this month pleaded guilty to lesser charges Wednesday.
Misdemeanor charges of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person were withdrawn against Felix Brun Sondova Blancarte, 34. He pleaded guilty to summary offenses of disorderly conduct and public drunkenness.
Blancarte was fined $300 plus costs for the disorderly conduct offense and sentenced to time served for public drunkenness, according to District Judge Carolyn Bengel’s office.
Police said Blancarte pulled a knife on another Praha customer, Jeff Jones, when Jones attempted to escort Blancarte out of the bar April 7. Blancarte was allegedly being disruptive in the bar after having previously been told to leave.
Police said Jones responded by pulling out his gun, a .45-caliber Glock 30. A Tarentum police officer said he saw Jones pointing the gun at Blancarte outside the bar when he arrived on the scene.
Police said they found a folding knife in one of Blancarte’s pockets.
Police said Jones was not charged with any offense because they say he legally defended himself.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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