HOLLIDAYSBURG — A Freedom Township man who struck a man while demanding money from him and his wife has rendered guilty pleas to robbery and simple assault charges in exchange for five years’ probation.

Blair County Judge Jackie Bernard also directed Samuel John Lloyd, 26, to write an apology letter to the couple who Lloyd described as “like grandparents” to him and who reported no interest in seeing Lloyd incarcerated.

“I think you’re fortunate that (they’re) not interested in seeing you in jail because that’s certainly where you belong,” Bernard told Lloyd in court on Friday.

Freedom Township police charged Lloyd after being summoned on Nov. 21, 2021, to an Anderson Lane residence in Freedom Township where the couple said Lloyd became angry while working on their house.

The husband said he had paid $500 to Lloyd who became angry while doing drywall work and started punching holes in the drywall and tearing it out of place.

Criminal charges indicate Lloyd’s behavior caused an argument and that Lloyd struck the homeowner on the left side of his head and face.

Subsequently, Lloyd demanded that he be paid $100 and refused to leave until he got it. The homeowner’s wife, fearful of another assault, went to another area of the house and retrieved $100. Lloyd then left, police said.

Assistant District Attorney Jessica Weil advised Bernard that the victims were contacted about Lloyd’s entry of guilty pleas in exchange for the recommended five years’ probation. They were not in court for the sentencing.

Lloyd told the judge he is currently working and recognizes his “mistakes,” prompting Bernard to correct that description.

“The mistakes you’re describing are crimes,” she told Lloyd. “You committed crimes against people who cared about you … (people) who should want to feel safe around you.”

In ordering Lloyd to write the apology letter, Bernard directed him to submit it to the Blair County Adult Parole and Probation Office for review with the district attorney’s office, which will ask the victims if they want to accept the letter.

Bernard also directed Lloyd to perform 25 hours of community service and to pay $5 an hour toward that service. She allotted 18 months for Lloyd to make restitution to the victims.

Mirror Staff Writer Kay Stephens is at 814-946-7456.