PENNSYLVANIA -- A local man accused of harassing a former girlfriend and threatening to “blow her head off,” pleaded guilty Monday to a summary offense, while the more serious charges against him were dropped.
According to officials at the Crawford County Courthouse, Timothy R. Ralston, 34, of 11162 Ralston Road, pleaded to a summary charge of harassment — course of conduct with no legitimate purpose.
As part of the plea bargain, a misdemeanor 1 count of terroristic threats with intent to terrorize another and a misdemeanor 3 count of harassment — communicating repeatedly in another manner, were dropped.
Those more serious charges brought a potential five-year prison sentence.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, on Nov. 19, Heather Miller reported to police that Ralston, whom she said she was previously in a relationship with, called her more than 50 times in one day while she was at work. In some of those phone calls, Ralston allegedly threatened to “blow her head off,” according to the affidavit.
The affidavit states that Ralston then threatened to shoot Miller’s children and other family members.
After arriving home from work that afternoon, Miller was confronted by Ralston, in person, according to the affidavit.
Several hours later, while outside of the school, waiting for her son, Ralston approached her vehicle, reached inside, and attempted to roll down her window, according to the affidavit, which further stated that Ralston told her that he did not like sleeping alone and wanted her to “come home.”
After another threat, Miller was frightened and drove to the Titusville Police station to report what had happened over the preceding 12 hours, according to the affidavit.
According to the criminal complaint, Ralston had informed Miller during the phone calls that she “could fix the problem if she would just come home.”
Sentencing for Ralston is scheduled for May 24.
Hearing today in dog shooting case
Ralston is scheduled to face a preliminary hearing, at 2 p.m., today, at the Titusville office of District Magistrate Amy Nicols, on charges he shot and killed a dog belonging to Miller, just days prior to the incident leading to his harassment case.
Corry-based state police filed charges against Ralston on Jan. 4, in connection with killing Miller’s Elkhorn breed dog, and blaming another person for it at his Oil Creek Township, Crawford County, home.
I have never heard of an "Elkhorn breed dog". I think they mean Elkhound aka Norwegian Elkhound.
Ralston allegedly shot the dog with an AR-15 sometime between 6 and 6:30 p.m., on Nov. 12, police claim.
Ralston then gave false information when questioned by state troopers, saying another man was the person behind shooting Miller’s dog, according to police.
Ralston faces up to approximately four years in prison and $10,000 in fines on charges of cruelty to animals (a misdemeanor 2), false reports to law enforcement authorities (a misdemeanor 2) and a summary offense of criminal mischief.
(Titusville Herald - April 26, 2016)
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