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Francisco Perez, 56, of the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Lancaster City, pleaded guilty to assaulting another man during an argument in 2021 before Judge Thomas B. Sponaugle at 9 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 30, court records show.
Judge Sponaugle sentenced him "to 11.5 to 23 months in county jail and $39,000 in restitution as part of a negotiated plea deal," as written in the DA's release, which noted that, "Perez is eligible for work release during his sentence. "
Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman told the court that Perez, a bodybuilder, “cold-cocked” the man to the face, adding that the man is “lucky to be alive.”
The punch happened outside a retail store in the 800 block of East Chestnut Street in Lancaster in Sept. 2021, the DA explained.
The man had been involved in an argument with Perez’ wife and stepdaughter after being unable to complete a transaction, according to the DA's release. "Store employees and customers corralled the two men outside to de-escalate the situation, but a witness told police that Perez 'sucker punched' the man in the face when he turned to walk away," as written in the release.
The man fell to the ground causing him to lose consciousness when his head struck the asphalt.
Perez was "tearful" when he told the court that he was defending his wife and stepdaughter, didn’t think he was going to cause the man injury and “made a bad choice.” Perez added that he wanted to leave a bad past behind him and focus on being a husband, father, and business owner.
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