Disgusting jail cell rampage ends with 12-year prison sentence
LANCASTER, PA – A homeless man who smeared urine and feces inside a police holding cell and violently assaulted multiple Lancaster officers — including biting, spitting, and attempting to grab a loaded firearm — was sentenced to five to 12 years in state prison, authorities announced Wednesday.
Robinson Evaristo Pena, 39, pleaded guilty on November 20 to a string of charges related to the April 4 incident, including five counts of aggravated assault, three counts of assault on law enforcement, and one count of disarming an officer. Additional charges included institutional vandalism, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct.
Police initially encountered Pena in the first block of East Chestnut Street after he was seen yelling and ignoring a crosswalk signal. Officers warned him to stop, but he continued causing a disturbance and was taken into custody.
Once inside the holding cell, Pena defiled the room by smearing feces and urine on his body and throughout the cell — including the walls, floor, door, intercom system, and surveillance camera. When officers attempted to intervene, Pena violently resisted, biting one officer’s hand through a glove, kicking another in the chest, and spitting repeatedly in their faces.
The struggle continued for several minutes as Pena kicked, headbutted, scratched, and tucked his hands under his body to prevent being cuffed. At one point, he tore an officer’s protective Tyvek suit and later attempted to disarm an officer while being transported to Lancaster General Hospital, causing his own fingers to bleed inside the holster.
Judge Thomas Sponaugle presided over the sentencing and condemned Pena’s conduct, stating he acted “like an animal.” During the hearing, Pena initially laughed when asked if the prosecution’s version of events was accurate but later admitted guilt and apologized.
First Assistant District Attorney Travis Anderson, who prosecuted the case, said the behavior was “self-evidently despicable” and that no officer should be subjected to that level of abuse. Cleanup of the holding cell reportedly took over an hour.
Charges were filed by Lancaster City Bureau of Police Lt. Thomas Cole, Sgt. Ryan Yoder, and Officer Nicholas Nolan. Pena is now serving his sentence in state prison.
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Key Points
- Robinson Pena, 39, was sentenced to 5–12 years in prison for assaulting multiple Lancaster officers
- The April incident involved smearing feces in a holding cell and a violent struggle with police
- Pena attempted to disarm an officer and bit, kicked, and spit on officers during the encounter
