An Ohio man admitted this week in Lancaster County Court to beating a man outside an East Lampeter Township bar because the victim asked him about taking his cowboy-style hat.
Troy M. Hardesty, 28, pleaded guilty to felony aggravated assault and misdemeanor theft regarding the June 5 incident at Lancaster Family Resort, 2250 Lincoln Highway East.
Lancaster County Judge James Cullen accepted the plea and will order sentence after a background check is completed in a couple months.
As part of sentence, Hardesty will be ordered to pay over $6,000 in restitution for the victim’s medical bills and the stolen hat, according to First Assistant District Attorney Christopher P. Larsen.
The victim sustained a broken nose and broken cheekbone, and needed 17 stitches for a cut on his face. He also suffered damage to his right eye.
The victim, his girlfriend and Hardesty were patrons at JR’s Bar, located at the resort, prior to the assault.
The victim left his seat and the hat to speak with another patron when Hardesty was witnessed taking the hat and hiding it in his pants.
When the victim returned to his seat, he was told Hardesty took the hat. The victim followed Hardesty and asked for his hat back.
In the parking lot, Hardesty warned the man to leave him alone “or else.” Hardesty then punched the man in the face, knocking him to the ground, unconscious.
Surveillance footage from the business showed Hardesty taking the hat.
Hardesty is at Lancaster County Prison on $200,000 bail.
East Lampeter Township police Officer Stephen Fazekas filed charges.
MEDIA CONTACT: Brett A. Hambright, 717-295-2041; bhambright@co.lancaster.pa.us; Twitter: @BrettHambright