A felony charge against a McKean County Jail inmate accused of assaulting a fellow inmate was dismissed, while other charges remain following a preliminary hearing Monday before District Judge William Todd.
According to court records, Brad R. Rochna, 38, will now face charges of simple assault, a second-degree misdemeanor, and harassment, a summary charge, in McKean County Court. A charge of aggravated assault was dismissed.
The criminal complaint stated that at 8:41 p.m. March 2, Rochna saw his cellmate, Christopher Yohe, in his tote trying to get some party mix chips. In response, Rochna allegedly punched Yohe in the face.
Yohe was initially taken to Bradford Regional Medical Center, then transported to a hospital in Hammond, N.Y. There, he had three teeth removed and medical professionals inserted 17 screws and wired his mouth closed, court records stated.
Court records indicate Rochna was incarcerated in February on a parole violation for a previous simple assault conviction.
In the previous case, Rochna pleaded guilty on June 9, 2016, to a charge of simple assault for allegations that he choked a woman, causing bruising around her neck. He was sentenced July 1, 2016, to 26 days to 23 ½ months in jail with credit for 26 days of time served.
Rochna is incarcerated on $20,000 in the new case.
