Man faces more charges after becoming unruly during hearing in Monessen district court

A defendant became unruly this month during a preliminary hearing on drug charges at district court in Monessen, threatening police, an attorney and the judge, according to court papers.

City police were called to the courtroom when Judge Wayne Vlasic reported Michael A. Whitfield-Bronson, 36, was causing a disturbance Dec. 1. Whitfield-Bronson reportedly called the judge and police corrupt and yelled at an assistant district attorney in the courtroom, investigators said.

He was removed by sheriff’s deputies and placed in a holding cell. Vlasic gave Whitfield-Bronson another chance in the courtroom, but authorities said he again was removed.

He is accused of threatening to visit the homes of police, Vlasic and the assistant district attorney, and referenced an attempted homicide case in which he is charged, according to court papers.

Whitfield-Bronson is awaiting trial in Indiana County court on state police accusations that he cut a woman in the face and neck during a July carjacking in Blairsville. A 9-year-old child with the woman was able to jump out of the SUV as the suspect started driving away, according to court papers. A pretrial conference is set for Friday.

Police believe he is responsible for a string of burglaries in Derry Township afterwards and the theft of a Ford F-250. Whitfield-Bronson eventually was captured in Georgia driving the pickup. Formal arraignment is scheduled in that case for later this month.

He already was denied bail in both of those cases and now the Monessen allegations, too. Whitfield-Bronson is charged with terroristic threats and disorderly conduct.

His last known address was in Greensburg.

He did not have an attorney listed in online court records. A preliminary hearing is set for Monday.