New Alexandria man sentenced for 2023 confrontation with police

A New Alexandria man convicted of resisting arrest during a 2023 confrontation with state police in Unity was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation but will serve no additional jail time.

Denton G. Krapf, 49, was found guilty in February of one misdemeanor count by a Westmoreland County jury. He was charged after state police say he initiated a violent confrontation with troopers who were responding to a call from neighbors about a suspicious man walking in their neighborhood.

Prosecutors said Krapf refused to comply with police and fought them when they attempted to detain and question him. Video of the incident played during in court during the trial showed Krapf as he attempted to pull away from police. Officers punched, tasered and put him on the ground in an attempt to subdue him.

Krapf sustained a concussion and three broken ribs as a result of the altercation, according to trial testimony. He has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the state police, claiming the troopers used excessive force. That case is pending,

In court on Tuesday, Westmoreland County Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger sentenced Krapf to serve up to 23 months in jail, but paroled him after giving him credit for 35 days he served behind bars following his arrest.

“You don’t usually see one man take on three state troopers, but it looks like you gave as good as you got,” Krieger said.

The judge ordered Krapf to have a mental health evaluation. At the trial and again at the sentencing hearing, Krapf appeared with a service dog on his lap during the proceedings.

Prosecutors argued that Krapf should serve at least six months in jail as a result of a lengthy prior criminal record.

Defense attorney Stephanie Eshenbaugh argued Krapf was in the midst of a mental health crisis during the incident and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Krapf said he will appeal the conviction.