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Donovan Leigh Cruz, of the 200 block of South Spruce Street, was sentenced by Judge Margaret Miller to serve 18 to 36 months in state prison and two years on probation after pleading guilty to breaking into a Millersville University fraternity home and firing a replica handgun in February, the DA detailed. This was part of a negotiated guilty plea submitted Thursday, Oct. 10.
The fraternity, located in the first block of North Prince Street in Millersville, was hosting "a semi-closed party" the DA wrote, when Cruz broke in, early on Saturday, Feb. 24.
He was confronted by men in the house and a fight broke out, according to the DA. "Cruz punched one person in the jaw and produced a realistic-looking handgun, firing it twice toward the ceiling," the DA said. Then he "pointed the gun at the crowd as everyone began to flee." He was also pistol-whipped a person during the fight.
The weapon was later revealed to have been a replica-type gun that only fired blanks, though people present at the party believed Cruz was firing an authentic firearm, the DA explained.
"I made a mistake and have to do the time,” Cruz told the court, noting that he was under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident.
Judge Miller noted Cruz’s relatively young age and urged him to use his time in prison to become a better person.
Assistant District Attorney Mark Fetterman prosecuted the case.
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