Police drop assault charges against university student
All charges, except two, were dismissed against a California University of Pennsylvania student accused of assaulting a woman in California Jan. 11. Michael William Johnson, 19, of Columbia, Md., was charged before Magisterial District Judge Jay H. Dutton with aggravated assault, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and underage drinking following the alleged attack.
According to California police, the incident occurred at a location on Park Street shortly after 10 p.m. Johnson allegedly beat the woman, who was not identified, until she was unconscious.
During a preliminary hearing Tuesday before Magisterial District Judge Joshua Kanalis, an agreement was reached between the Washington County District Attorney’s office and Johnson that dismissed the more serious charges and held charges for harassment and underage drinking for court. Details of the agreement were not available.
California police Chief Richard Encapera said the woman was flown from the scene by medical helicopter to a Pittsburgh hospital following the assault.
Johnson was initially placed in the Washington County Prison on $10,000 straight cash bond, according to Encapera.
This is not the first time Johnson has been in trouble with the law in California. Washington County Court records indicate that university police charged him with underage drinking, disorderly conduct and public drunkenness following an incident in November 2006.