A New Holland man was convicted this week of berating a police officer over traffic tickets, then deliberately backing into the officer’s cruiser and fleeing.
A local jury convicted 66-year-old Mark Wingerd of the hit-and-run - four months after another jury convicted Wingerd of threatening to bring a gun and shoot at a local retirement community.
Following the verdict Tuesday, Lancaster County Judge David Ashworth sentenced Wingerd to a year of probation, to be served consecutively to the 3-year probation term in the threats case.
Assistant District Attorney Mari Andracchio argued that Wingerd showed a “complete disrespect” for law enforcement on Oct. 2, 2018, when Wingerd called a New Holland police sergeant a “little punk” and “little maggot” – then backed into the sergeant’s cruiser (causing minor damage).
The jury deliberated about 10 minutes before convicting Wingerd of misdemeanor hit-and-run.
ADA Andracchio played a video for jurors which captured Sergeant Mark Willwerth’s encounter with Wingerd. The sergeant gave Wingerd traffic tickets for running a stop sign and registration violations, which prompted Wingerd to become angry.
Wingerd got out of his car and marched back to Sgt. Willwerth and called him several vulgar names. Wingerd then backed into the cruiser and drove away.
Regarding the September conviction, Wingerd told a volunteer coordinator at Mennonite Home that he will bring a gun to the facility and shoot anyone who got in his way.
Wingerd will serve the next four years on probation. He is banned from Mennonite Home properties.
He also is prohibited from having firearms and is to attend anger management treatment.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright