WEST HAZLETON — A man from West Hazleton was brought to court on Wednesday for reportedly causing a disturbance at a youth basketball game and assaulting a Hazleton Area school police officer.
Heath Allen Houseknecht, who lives on Winters Avenue, was sitting in the stands watching his son participate in a youth basketball game at West Hazleton Elementary/Middle School on March 19, according to legal documents.
Houseknecht became unruly by verbally provoking coaches and a player, and directed inappropriate language towards the coach, while also using a racial slur, according to court records.
A school police officer intervened and tried to accompany Houseknecht out of the gymnasium and the school.
Houseknecht was heading towards the gymnasium exit when he turned back and lunged at the school police officer, according to court records.
Legal documents state that Houseknecht and the school police officer got into a physical altercation and were separated by school staff.
The school police officer suffered an injury to his right knee and received treatment at a medical facility.
Houseknecht faces charges of aggravated assault, disorderly conduct and defiant trespass. He was arraigned by District Judge James M. Dixon of Hazle Township and released on $10,000 unsecured bail.
