Milton man to spend 3-6 years in state prison

Apr. 22—SUNBURY — A Milton man will spend up to six years in state prison after being sentenced on felony aggravated assault charges stemming from a 2022 incident in the borough.

Benjamin Anspach, 33, of Mahoning Street, appeared before Northumberland County Judge Michael Toomey on Monday and received a sentence of 3 to 6 years.

"I am truly sorry," Anspach said at the sentencing. "I hope to be forgiven."

Police said Anspach fired a shot through a door at a residence in the Milton Village Complex in September 2022.

Anspach was originally charged with attempted homicide. A female flagged down an officer who was on patrol in the complex to tell police there was a shooting, according to court documents. As the officer began to probe the incident, he saw a male walking toward Mahoning Street with a hoodie up, according to officers.

The man was determined to be Anspach, police said.

When officers gave Anspach the command to stop, officers said he continued to walk away from police, according to court documents. Police continued to tell Anspach to show his hands but the man refused the commands, police said.

An officer approached Anspach and attempted to take him into custody and officers alleged Anspach reached for a gun, later to be determined to be a semi-automatic handgun, police said.

The victim told police that after an altercation at the home, Anspach fired the weapon through a closed door and a bullet hit her in the right hip, police said.