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Espigh pleads guilty, sentenced to prison

LEWISTOWN–Craig Espigh, 39, of Lewistown, pleaded guilty Tuesday to one felony count criminal attempt-escape and one felony count fleeing/attempting to allude officers. Espigh’s total agreed upon sentence between the Commonwealth and Matthew Owens, Espigh’s attorney, is a minimum of three and a maximum of six years in a state correctional institution.

Prior to issuing the sentence, President Judge David Barron advised counsel that he had represented Espigh during his tenure in private practice. Neither Owens nor District Attorney Christopher Torquato raised an issue with Barron presiding over Espigh’s sentencing.

Espigh will receive time serve credit from January 10 to June 19 and will be responsible for over $360 in restitution. Additionally, Espigh is eligible to participate in Quehanna Boot Camp. According to www.cor.pa.gov, “inmates arriving to the Quehanna Boot Camp fit into one of three categories: Boot Camp, State Intermediate Punishment (SIP) or general population. Boot Camp inmates that receive a recommendation from their judge voluntarily agree to participate in a six-month traditional military-style boot camp. The boot camp program centers around treatment, education and work with a focus on self-discipline. SIP inmates are court-ordered to a flat, 24-month sentence which includes a series of step-down treatment programs designed to assist the offender in their drug/alcohol dependence. SIP program participants complete an intensive, four-month inpatient therapy, which is completed at Quehanna. Both alternative programs require inmates to participate daily in therapeutic groups to address drug and alcohol issues, anger and violence, domestic violence and criminal thinking.”

According to court documents, in early January, Espigh had reported to a probation meeting and failed to provide necessary items to maintain his probationary sentence. When his probation officer attempted to arrest him, Espigh fled the probation office, but was ultimately apprehended. Later in the same month, police spotted Espigh near the Dollar Store on Dorcas Street, after receiving a report of the probation meeting incident as well as an investigation in Perry County. Espigh was pursued in a high-speed chase by Lewistown Police. According to the corresponding police report, Espigh was traveling north on Pheasant Valley Road at an unsafe speed and failed to negotiate a right curve. Police said Espigh’s truck traveled head on into a tree. Police reported that Espigh was wearing a seat belt, but air bags did not deploy.

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