News

June 20, 2009

Teacher jailed on assault charge

Gerald J. Wiernusz, of Kingston, charged with waving loaded gun at teens.

KINGSTON – A Tunkhannock Area High School teacher was charged after waving a loaded gun at two teens and “clucking” like a chicken at his home on Thursday.

Gerald J. Wiernusz, 41, of 133 W. Vaughn St., was arraigned on two counts each of aggravated assault, terroristic threats and harassment, and a single count of recklessly endangering another person. He was jailed at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.

Wiernusz is a building construction trades teacher with 16 years experience at the school district in Wyoming County, according to a court employee and state records.Tunkhannock Area Superintendent Michael Healey could not be reached for comment.

According to the criminal complaint filed by Kingston police:

Police responded at about 10:22 p.m. to 135 W. Vaughn St. for a neighbor dispute.

Vicky Soppeck told police her neighbor, Wiernusz, was highly intoxicated and threatened to shoot the children that were at her home.

Soppeck said she was inside her home watching TV when her 17-year-old daughter told her Wiernusz was sitting on his porch and waving a silver gun with a long barrel at her and her friend, the criminal complaint states.

Wiernusz was heard screaming in the neighborhood that he was going to shoot anyone who entered his property, the teenage girl told police.

When he saw police, he went inside his home, shut the lights off and ran out the back door.

Both of the teens told police they were in the park playing basketball when they heard yelling, walked toward the home and saw Wiernusz sitting on the porch.

Wiernusz went inside his home and came out with the firearm, police said. He then began to wave the gun in the air and threatened to shoot them if they came onto his property. He then walked around his parked car in the driveway and began to cluck like a chicken.

Officers found Wiernusz in his backyard. Police said he was highly intoxicated and immediately informed officers that he was getting revenge for an incident the other night.

Wiernusz told police a few nights prior his children were playing basketball when a Dodge Durango come down the street at a high rate of speed and stopped at the Soppeck residence. He then engaged in a verbal dispute with the driver and told him to slow down.

He further alleged he was sitting on his porch and having a few beers when he saw the individuals from the previous dispute and began yelling profanities to gain their attention.

Wiernusz admitted he waved the gun for retaliation from the previous incident and that he had a right to defend himself, his property and his family. Police said he had a permit for the firearm.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for June 29 in Central Court.

Jen Marckini, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 829-7210.

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