North Huntingdon man accused of coughing on police gets up to 2 years in jail on theft charges

A North Huntingdon man accused of trying to infect police with coronavirus by coughing on them will serve up to two years in prison after he pleaded guilty Wednesday to other offenses.

Joseph R. Good Jr., 35, was arrested in April and, according to police, claimed he had coronavirus and coughed and spit at officers while attempting to bite a trooper and kick the window out of a state police cruiser.

Separate charges of aggravated assault, causing a catastrophe, resisting arrest and other offenses are pending. Good is scheduled to appear July 29 for a preliminary hearing on those charges before District Judge Wayne Gongaware.

Appearing by video Wednesday from the county jail, Good pleaded guilty to felony trespassing and misdemeanor theft and receiving stolen property counts. He was sentenced by Common Pleas Court Judge Tim Krieger to serve one to two years in prison.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss a more serious felony burglary charge.

Police said Good entered a Hempfield home sometime on April 20 or April 21 and stole a 75-inch television.

According to court records, Good was questioned by police and admitted he walked into the home and took the television, strapped it to his vehicle and sold it to a friend in Jeannette for $150.

As he was being arrested for the theft, Good threatened police when he falsely claimed he had covid-19 and then became violent, officials said.

North Huntingdon police charged Good with similar offenses in connection with an incident April 8, when he was placed in custody on outstanding warrants related to simple assault and giving false information to authorities. In that case, Good also coughed on police, claimed he was infected, and was taken to a hospital where he was administered a coronavirus test, police said.