An 18-year-old accused of stealing State College Area School District vehicles earlier this year is now facing retaliation and intimidation charges for allegedly assaulting a juvenile witness in a State High bathroom.
Norman P. Ghaner, of Ferguson Township, is accused of punching the 16-year-old male with a closed fist in the face and head at least three times before the alleged assault was broken up at about 3:45 p.m. on Monday, according to an affidavit of probable cause filed by State College police.
The 16-year-old had a laceration and swelling under his right eye, a cut lip and bruising, swelling and redness around his right temple, police wrote.
Ghaner and the juvenile were formerly friends, but that ended when they, along with another 18-year-old, were arrested in May for the alleged theft of two school district trucks and damaging windows at multiple buildings in State College, police wrote.
During the investigation, the juvenile admitted his involvement and provided evidence implicating Ghaner, and his continuing cooperation has assisted the prosecution, according to the affidavit. Ghaner was ordered not to have contact with the juvenile, but allegedly reached out to him on social media about meeting up and potentially fighting.
After the incident on Monday, Ghaner’s father told a school administrator that he received a text from his son that said “I just punched the kid with the trucks,” police wrote.
Ghaner was charged on Tuesday with felony counts of retaliating against and intimidating a witness and a misdemeanor count of simple assault.
He was arraigned by District Judge Casey McClain, who denied bail.
A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 15.
