Men involved in July riot sentenced

By RACHEL HANSON
Collegian Staff Writer

Sixteen men were sentenced last week for charges stemming from the July 12 riot, with penalties ranging from community service to prison time.

On Wednesday, Curtis Myers, 21, of State College pleaded guilty to felony charges of rioting and risking a catastrophe. He was sentenced to five to 23½ months in prison and was ordered to pay $200 for each offense and an undetermined amount of restitution.

Centre County President Judge Charles C. Brown Jr. sentenced the other 15 men Monday. The only two who received jail time were those facing felony charges. The other 13 men, charged with various misdemeanors, were sentenced to a combination of community service, fines, restitution and probation.

William R. Pfeifer, 23, of Kennett Square was ordered to serve eight to 23½ months in prison for charges of aggravated assault and rioting. Pfeifer pleaded guilty in January to both charges.

Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar said Pfeifer's sentence was the most prison time anyone has received thus far in connection to the riot. Pfeifer's offense, throwing an object at a police officer, was the most serious, Gricar added.

Timothy P. Logan, 22, of Amherst, N.H. was sentenced to serve five to 23½ months in prison for charges of arson and rioting. Gricar said Logan added items to one of the fires started that night. Logan pleaded no contest to both charges in January.

The 13 men charged with misdemeanors, ranging from failure to move on to disorderly conduct, were each sentenced to 100 hours of community service and a $200 fine for each charge against them. Some of the men will also be ordered to pay restitution and some will serve probation, Gricar said.

"I am satisfied with (the sentences)," Gricar said.

He added Centre County probation officer Ron Millward has organized a special community service program for the 13 men. They will all work in State College cleaning up parks, among other tasks.

Those found guilty of misdemeanor charges are: Michael P. Allen, 23, of Bloomfield, Conn.; Michael R. Brice, 23, of State College; Nathan J. Deck, 22, of Lebanon; Colin J. Devine, 22, of North Wales; Jesse H. Koegler, 20, of Pittsburgh; Daniel Maniscalco, 21, of West Chester; Michael T. Marshall, 27, of Bedford; Seth R. Porter, 22, of Fairview; Joseph M. Procopio, 23, of Chatham, N.J.; Jeffrey J. Schroeder, 25, of Trafford; Kevin F. Shippos, 20, of State College; Ryan M. Strub, 24, of State College; and Thomas VanGermert, 24, of Murrysville.