Centerville man accused in naked standoff with police heads to trial

Mike Crowley, The Meadville Tribune, Pa.
·2 min read

Apr. 18—A Centerville man who authorities say engaged in a naked standoff with police late last year after threatening to kill another man will head to trial on 10 charges.

Bryan Scott Stephens, 55, waived his preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Amy Nicols on Wednesday.

Pennsylvania State Police at Corry responded to a Dec. 12 incident involving Stephens at a residence in the 16900 block of Post Ridge Road, about 7 miles northwest of Titusville, at approximately 12:32 p.m., according to the probable cause affidavit filed in the case.

Witnesses told troopers arriving at the scene that Stephens, who was inside the residence, was under the influence of a controlled substance and had access to a firearm, according to the affidavit.

After being contacted via loudspeaker by police, the naked Stephens exited and reentered the residence multiple times, police reported, screaming obscenities and making threats as he did so. "Just blow my house up," police quoted Stephens saying, as well as, "You better kill me because if I get your gun, I'm going to kill myself."

Eventually, Stephens, still naked, exited the residence and made his way to the nearby road to talk to troopers at the scene, according to the affidavit, before thrashing violently while being arrested.

A witness later told police that earlier in the day Stephens had entered another building on the property with a loaded .270 Remington rifle, pointed it at the man and said, "I'm going to ... kill you," adding an expletive.

After being arrested, Stephens was transported to Meadville Medical Center, where he allegedly kicked a trooper in the groin area while being chemically restrained, according to police.

Stephens faces a felony charge of aggravated assault for allegedly kicking a state trooper. He also faces misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats, harassment, open lewdness, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct, indecent exposure and two counts of simple assault, as well as a summary charge of harassment.

Stephens remains in Crawford County jail, Saegertown, in lieu of $60,000 bail. A trial will be scheduled for the September term of Crawford County Court of Common Pleas.

Mike Crowley can be reached at (814) 724-6370 or by email at mcrowley@meadvilletribune.com.