Cumberland widower sentenced
WAYNESBURG – A Cumberland Township man who attacked his ex-girlfriend and ransacked her Carmichaels home in January, was sentenced Thursday to two years of probation.
Michael Shawn Oshetsky, 40, was sentenced on two different cases that both relate to the Jan. 24 incident. Oshetsky entered Anita Danko’s home in the 200 block of North Vine Street and destroyed more than $1,300 worth of electronics and appliances in the home, state police said
Police said Danko and her two children left the home and hid in a snow-covered car and Oshetsky left before police arrived. He returned later and asked Danko if he could stay at the house, but she refused, according to court documents.
Oshetsky somehow snuck into the house and hid in her basement, sleeping there for more than six hours before attacking her, police said. He also threatened to kill her before leaving with her cellphone and electronic tablet, police said.
Oshetsky testified in court Thursday that alcohol played a heavy role in what happened that night.
“It started out as a verbal argument and escalated from there,” he said. “There was some alcohol involved. Both of us got a little too drunk.”
He said that because of his level of intoxication, he only remembers “bits and pieces” from the incident but couldn’t remember staying in the basement or if he struck Danko.
“I don’t remember hitting her, but I don’t believe she would have a reason to lie about it,” he said.
Between the two cases, Oshetsky was charged with four counts of reckless endangerment, criminal mischief, terroristic threats, theft, trespassing, simple assault and harassment.
Oshetsky pleaded guilty to the charges as part of a plea agreement and was sentenced by Greene County Judge Lou Dayich to 21 days to 23.5 months in jail, with credit for 21 days served. He is to pay $1,980 in restitution to Danko and have no contact with her or her children during his two years of probation.
Dayich also sentenced Oshetsky Thursday on a separate third case from a Sept. 8, 2015, incident. Oshetsky was involved in a crash that damaged the property of Carmichaels Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Oshetsky pleaded guilty to an accident involving damage attended vehicle, disorderly conduct and driving under a license suspension. He was sentenced to 112 days in jail with credit for 53 days served. He will have to pay $1,500 in restitution to Carmichaels VFW and $800 in fines. In all three cases, he was ordered away from drugs and alcohol.
Oshetsky testified in court he “lived a good life” up until two years ago when his wife died in a crash.
“I lost my wife in a car wreck a few years ago and haven’t been handling it very well,” he said.
He said his parents have been caring for his two children since he’s been in jail.
Dayich gave Oshetsky work-release privileges for the remaining 60 days in jail he will serve, citing the $1,000 in fines and nearly $3,500 in restitution he was ordered to pay.
“I just don’t want you to continue to be engaging in this criminal conduct,” Dayich said during the sentencing. “All of my contact with you has been in the context of your being in orange.”
Oshetsky promised Dayich he will turn his life around.
“Trust me, you will never see me again,” he told Dayich. “Just being away from my kids for five months has been enough for me to learn my lesson.”