Disorderly Conduct, Harassment Charges Filed in Tioga County Court
TIOGA COUNTY, Pa. – On August 31, 2026, Daniel P. Dechent, a 43‑year‑old resident of Lackawanna, New York, was arrested by the Mansfield Police Service and charged with two misdemeanor offenses. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania filed a criminal complaint in the Magisterial District Court of Tioga County (Docket No. MJ-04301-CR-0000081-2026).
According to the docket, the arresting officer was Garret M. Smith of the Mansfield PSP. The incident, recorded under Incident No. PA 2026‑1105920 and Complaint No. F5A0BSM46L, occurred on the same day as the arrest, August 31, 2026.
Dechent faces the following charges, each classified as a misdemeanor (Grade M3):
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 5503(a) – Disorderly Conduct: “Engage in fighting” (Charge #118, offense date 08/31/2026).
- 18 Pa.C.S. § 2709(a) – Harassment: “Subject other to physical contact” (Charge #218, offense date 08/31/2026).
The Tioga County District Attorney’s Office, located at 118 Main Street, Wellsboro, PA, is prosecuting the case. The district attorney’s office can be reached at 570‑724‑1350.
Following his arrest, Dechent was taken to Tioga County Prison (County Jail) on September 1, 2026. He was unable to post the monetary bail set at $2,500.00, and therefore remains in custody.
Magisterial District Judge James R. Edgcomb entered the complaint on September 1, 2026. The docket shows that a preliminary arraignment is scheduled for September 1, 2026 at 10:15 a.m., and a preliminary hearing is set for September 17, 2026 at 10:45 a.m., both before Magisterial District Judge Robert L. Repard.
The case status is listed as “Active” with the processing status indicating that the matter is awaiting both the preliminary arraignment and the preliminary hearing.
Defendant Dechent has not been fingerprinted, and no request for a public defender has been recorded in the docket. He was advised of his right to apply for assignment of counsel.
As the proceedings continue, the presumption of innocence remains in effect, and the Tioga County District Attorney’s Office will pursue the charges on behalf of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
This article was generated based on publicly available court docket information. While we strive for accuracy, the content may contain errors or omissions. This article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. For official court records and legal guidance, please consult the appropriate court or legal professional.