Bradford County man charged for making threats inside courtroom

Towanda, Pa. — A man was charged for his disruption of a 2023 court proceeding at the Bradford County Courthouse.

Stephen Ray Benting, 31, of Sayre allegedly claimed he was going to get a witness during a sentencing hearing in Towanda, Detective Kyle Wisel said. At one point, Benting was ordered to be placed in handcuffs, Wisel added.

Benting allegedly flipped the courtroom off, causing such a disturbance he had to be removed, according to the complaint. As he was being taken away, Benting threatened a witness, claiming he knew where they lived, Wisel wrote.

Benting allegedly told the judge “I don’t give a f**k” when asked about his behavior. Benting is being charged with terroristic threats, retaliation against a witness, and obstruction of justice.

He is being held at the Bradford County Prison on $30,000 monetary bail. A preliminary hearing with Judge Todd Carr is scheduled for the end of the month.

Benting pled guilty to misdemeanor theft in 2023 and was sentenced to serve between 9-23 months.

Docket sheet