Hempfield woman accused of tossing hot coffee on cop now charged with assaulting prison guard
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A Hempfield woman currently in the Westmoreland County Prison on charges that she threw a cup of hot coffee on a state trooper is now accused of spitting on a prison guard.
Sonya R. Connors, 52, is accused of becoming “combative and verbally abusive” with a female prison guard on Monday as she was attempting to help Connors fill out a form to obtain a public defender, according to court papers.
Connors is accused of spitting in the guard’s face before she was subdued by prison officers, who put a “spit mask” on her before she was returned to her cell. The guard was treated by medical personnel.
Connors was charged Thursday by Westmoreland County Det. James Williams with aggravated assault and aggravated harassment by a prisoner. Those charges are in addition to counts of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, harassment, resisting arrest, retail theft and simple assault filed against her Sunday after an incident at 4 p.m. at the Burger King in the Youngwood Commons Plaza.
Workers called state troopers to the fast-food restaurant after Connors allegedly walked into the kitchen, poured herself a cup of coffee and attempted to leave without paying, Trooper Robert Martin said in court documents.
When a worker confronted her, Connors began “screaming and yelling” at employees and pushed one who confronted her before she ran into a nearby convenience store, according to court papers.
When troopers Troy Parsley and Robert Taylor went to the store to find Connors, Martin said she attempted to run again, but Taylor grabbed her left arm.
“She then threw a full cup of hot coffee from her right hand onto Trooper Taylor in an attempt to get away,” Martin said in court documents.
Parsley and Taylor, who was not seriously injured, subdued Connors and handcuffed her.
In addition to the $1.49 cup of coffee, Connors is accused of stealing a $2.69 juice drink from the store.
A preliminary hearing will be scheduled before District Judge Mark Mansour.