Garman

A city man charged with felony sexual assault and stalking in two separate but related cases was sentenced to 3 to 10 years’ incarceration in a state correctional facility following a guilty plea in December.

Devon Michael Garman, 24, was charged with single felony counts of criminal attempt – rape, aggravated indecent assault – forcible compulsion, burglary, aggravated indecent assault without consent and sexual assault and a misdemeanor count of stalking – repeatedly commit acts to cause fear, as well as two summary harassment counts across the two cases.

Garman appeared in Blair County Court alongside Chief Public Defender Julia Burke on Dec. 19 to enter guilty pleas to a felony count of aggravated indecent assault – forcible compulsion and a misdemeanor count of stalking – course of conduct or repeatedly commits acts to cause fear.

In exchange for his pleas, Garman was sentenced by President Judge Wade A. Kagarise to 36 months to 120 months’ imprisonment in a state correctional facility. Kagarise also ordered Garman to pay $450 in fines and $3,501 to the Greensburg Regional Laboratory, while granting Garman credit for time served since Nov. 27, 2024.

Kagarise then dismissed the remaining charges.

Garman was charged in 2024 after he climbed on top of the female victim, pinned her shoulders with his hands and told her “we are having sex whether you like it or not,” according to the affidavit.

The victim’s friend called 911 on her behalf and Altoona police investigated the case.

The victim said she woke up about 6 a.m. Sept. 17, 2024, with Garman on top of her. He tried to rip off her shorts, tearing the elastic waistband in the process. When the victim was allowed to use the bathroom, she texted her friend and asked her to contact police, stating that Garman broke into her house and was trying to rape her, the police report states.

Police arrived at the victim’s home about 10 a.m. and encountered both the victim and Garman.

Garman told the detective that he entered the home through the unlocked front door although the victim had not invited him over. When officers were clearing the scene, Garman allegedly told officers that he was going to “keep trying to get her back,” the report states.

The victim told police that Garman knew her schedule and knew when she would be home alone.

During a follow-up visit with the victim on Nov. 19, the victim said Garman had driven past her residence and had been contacting her friends and family to describe her location and what she was doing, the report states.

Mirror Staff Writer Rachel Foor-Musselman is at 814-946-7458.