JOHNSONBURG — A St. Marys man has been charged in district court after allegedly pointing a small handgun at another individual’s face during a disagreement.
Randall Gerald Nero, 60, is currently incarcerated in the Elk County Prison in RIdgway on a felony charge of aggravated assault, a misdemeanor charge of simple assault, a misdemeanor charge of possession of an instrument of crime with intent, a misdemeanor charge of recklessly endangering another person, and a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.
An affidavit of probable cause outlining the charges was obtained from the office of Magisterial District Judge James L. Martin.
The affidavit indicated that on Dec. 9, Nero arrived uninvited to a camp in Jones Township.
Nero reportedly arrived holding two beers and was told to leave by a male because he was not welcome at the camp.
Court documents said Nero reportedly got into a verbal argument with the male before entering into a second room at the camp. While in this second room, Nero and the male engaged in a second verbal argument.
A second male reportedly joined the verbal argument as he also told Nero to leave the camp.
While a third individual stepped outside to call police, the second male asked Nero “why don’t we step outside right now,” according to court documents.
The affidavit said at this point, Nero allegedly removed a handgun from his pocket and pointed it at the male’s face, and allegedly said, “you’re threatening me, so I’ll threaten you.”
According to the affidavit, Nero fled the scene prior to the arrival of troopers, and troopers were unable to locate him on the night of the incident.
Nero was contacted on Dec. 10 and admitted to having a handgun but told troopers that he placed the handgun on a table at the camp in preparation of a fight with the other male, according to court documents.
Nero was arraigned before Martin on Wednesday, and bail was set at $50,000 monetary.
Unable to post bail, Nero was confined to Elk County Prison.
He is scheduled to appear for a preliminary hearing before Martin on Dec. 28. Nero is represented by privately-held attorney Gina Renee Vrobel.
The Commonwealth is represented by the Elk County District Attorney’s Office.
