Sigel-Mann is accused of threatening a couple with a pepper spray gun during an incident in Eldred Township

ELDRED TWP., Pennsylvania (EYT) — A Sigel man is accused of threatening to shoot a victim with a pepper spray gun that resembled a real pistol during an incident in Eldred Township.

According to court documents, state police based in Marienville filed a criminal complaint against the 60-year-old Ronald R Hughesvon Sigel, on May 8 in the office of District Judge Gregory Bazylak.

According to a criminal complaint, on Tuesday, May 7, at approximately 7:01 p.m., State Police in Marienville responded to a residence on State Route 36 in Sigel, Eldred Township, Jefferson County, for a disturbance.

Responding officers made contact with the victim, who explained that he and his girlfriend were moving out of an apartment he owned Ronald Hughes and staying at a neighboring residence. The victim said as he and his girlfriend entered the driveway, Hughes ran down the driveway and told them to get off his property. The victim also told Hughes that a gun was pointed at him and his girlfriend as he came down the driveway, the complaint states.

The victim told his girlfriend to go inside the house and tried to talk to Hughes to calm him down, but Hughes continued to point the gun at the victim and pretended to fire the gun by pulling his hand back before the recoil, the complaint states.

The victim told police he turned away from Hughes and crouched, “expecting to feel pain, but there was nothing.” The victim began backing down the driveway and tried to calm Hughes down. He managed to get out of Hughes’ sight and grabbed his phone to call 9-1-1, the complaint says.

According to the complaint, further investigation revealed that Hughes had a pepper spray gun in the front seat of his truck. The weapon resembled a real handgun and was found to have a magazine containing pepper spray bullets in the magazine well. An extra magazine was discovered in the cup holder of Hughes’ truck. It was also loaded with pepper spray pellets, according to the complaint.

In an interview with police, Hughes said he arrived at the apartment to retrieve items from his detached garage because he didn’t want them to be stolen. He also explained that he was carrying the pepper spray gun for personal protection, the complaint states.

Hughes said he heard someone outside while he was in his garage and went outside to notice (the victim) approaching his location. He claimed there was music playing in his truck and (the victim) thought he swore at him. Hughes then said he and the victim exchanged words before he brandished the pepper spray gun and told the victim to stay back or he would shoot him, the charges continue.

Hughes stated he told the victim it was a pepper spray gun when he first brandished it, the complaint states.

The complaint notes that Hughes claimed he acted in self-defense.

Hughes was arraigned before Judge Bazylak on May 8 at 1:05 p.m. on the following charges:

• Terrorist threats with the intent to terrorize others, offense 1
• Simple assault, misdemeanor 2
• Harassment – ​​Physically touching others, summary

He was released on unsecured bail of $20,000.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday, May 31, at 8:00 p.m. with Judge Bazylak presiding.