Dunnstable Township couple convicted of terrorizing tenant

LOCK HAVEN, PA – A Clinton County Jury took approximately 90 minutes on Friday to return guilty verdicts on a Dunnstable Township husband and wife for threats and simple assault against a 19-year-old female.

William Sean Laubscher, 54, and Candy Jo Laubscher, 48, both of Reeder Road, Lock Haven, were convicted by a jury of five women and seven men. Both Laubschers were convicted of multiple misdemeanors: terroristic threats and simple assault, while Candy was also convicted of firearms not to be carried without a license, a misdemeanor.

Clinton County District Attorney Dave Strouse represented the Commonwealth and prosecuted the 1-day trial before Judge Michael F. Salisbury. Strouse presented four police officer officers to testify at trial, including the arresting officer, Trooper Brittany Naylor of the Pennsylvania State Police, and the victim, a 19-year-old Flemington resident. Authorities said that on Sept. 1, 2022, the Laubschers attempted to “evict” their tenants from a rental property on German Road, Dunnstable Township, by entering the rental armed with three firearms, including a .357 revolver and a Soviet-era SKS semi-automatic rifle carried by William Laubscher, and a .380 pistol carried in a concealed holster by Candy Laubscher.

According to the prosecution case, upon entering the residence, the Laubschers confronted the 19-year-old female who was unclothed and sleeping in bed shortly after 8 a.m. Candy Laubscher then screamed at the woman repeatedly and revealed her concealed firearm before ultimately removing the pistol and waving it at the victim. William Laubscher fired at least five rounds from his rifle near the front entrance to the home in a further attempt to terrify and intimidate the victim. The victim immediately called 911 and PSP was dispatched to the scene. Due to the gunfire reported, Lock Haven City Police and Clinton County Sheriff Deputies also responded.

When Lock Haven City Police arrived, they found both Laubschers still armed and took them into custody without further incident. William Laubscher was found to also be armed with a folding knife and three “throwing knives” in a hip sheath that he told police he used for “martial arts.” Portions of the Laubschers actions were captured on cell phone video recordings made by the victim as she waited for police to arrive.

Strouse described the Laubschers as deciding to “take the law into their own hands to try to scare the hell out of that young woman.” The Laubschers had started the eviction process in magisterial district court, but they did not proceed with the process before choosing to enter the residence armed on September 1, 2022.

They are both scheduled for sentencing on July 18, 2023 and remain out on bail. Both Laubschers face substantial jail sentences including deadly weapon enhancements. William Laubscher faces a 7-year maximum sentence.

Candy Laubscher faces up to 13 years.

Sourced via CRIMEWATCH®: https://clinton.crimewatchpa.com/da/133000/post/dunnstable-township-couple-convicted-terrorizing-tenant-0