By Patrick Kernan
The Times-Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.)
WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — A Luzerne County prison guard pleaded guilty Wednesday to an assault charge after police accused him of pointing a pistol at a man in a Plains Township restaurant.
Kory M. Kish, 29, of Hughestown, was sentenced by Luzerne County Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr. to 15 months on probation.
Since he agreed to plead guilty to a count of simple assault, a count of reckless endangerment was withdrawn by prosecutors.
Other counts of aggravated assault and disorderly conduct were previously withdrawn.
The charges against Kish stem from a January 2017 incident.
The victim, Patrick Green, told police he was in the bathroom at D’s Diner talking about football with a friend when a stranger wearing a Redskins hat entered the bathroom.
Green said he began talking football with the stranger, later identified as Kish, when Kish allegedly replied, “This country is run by the white man.”
Green said Kish brandished a weapon and told him to “go back from where you came from” after Green said he was part Puerto Rican.
Witnesses said Kish pointed the weapon at Green. Kish was later tackled to the ground to prevent him from re-entering the dining area.
Kish was hired in January 2015 by the prison, and he made $35,324 annually. He was placed on unpaid leave shortly after charges were filed pending the completion of criminal proceedings.
As part of Kish’s sentencing, Sklarosky ordered that he could not own a firearm during the length of his probation, except for purposes of work.
©2018 The Times Leader (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.)