Man held for indecent assault, court visitor's cell phone confiscated

Oct. 26--A Johnstown man was ordered to stand trial Thursday, accused of assaulting a disabled woman near Central Park in February, authorities said.

Alexander Tisinger Sr., 62, of the 300 block of Fourth Avenue, was held for court following a preliminary hearing before District Judge Michael Musulin of Johnstown.

According to city police, Tisinger allegedly grabbed and kissed the woman without her consent.

Tisinger faces a rash of charges, including indecent assault of a person with a mental disability and indecent assault without the consent of the other.

Tisinger Sr. is being held in Cambria County Prison. He is being represented by attorney Charles Hoebler, of Pittsburgh.

Cell phone at issue

A dispute erupted after the hearing when a Tisinger family member had his cell phone confiscated.

The Rev. Theodore Tisinger was told to surrender his cell phone, which reportedly was turned on during the hearing.

"I'm a pastor, I have people in the hospital," he said. "I need my phone."

He accused Assistant District Attorney Beth Bolton Penna of overstepping her bounds and threatened to file a lawsuit.

"She's going way too far," Tisinger said.

Cambria County President Judge Norman A. Krumenacker III was contacted about possible direct criminal contempt. Krumenacker ordered Tisinger's cell phone confiscated.

The cell phone will be examined by the Cambria County IT Department for any recording of the hearing.

If nothing is found, the phone will be returned, the court order said.

Patrick Buchnowski is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 532-5061. Follow him on Twitter @PatBuchnowskiTD.

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