Sentencing scheduled for detention-center assault
Justin O’Brien, an inmate who allegedly assaulted Kenneth J. Houck Jr. at the Federal Detention Center in Philadelphia, is scheduled to be sentenced next month.
The sentencing is scheduled for 12:45 p.m. May 14 in Courtroom 12-B of the U.S. Court House, 601 Market St.
U.S. District Judge Jan E. DuBois will impose the sentence, after reviewing an expedited presentence report.
O’Brien pleaded guilty earlier in April.
On Nov. 10, 2011, O’Brien and Kevin V. Hannig allegedly entered Houck’s cell while he was reading a gay novel, pulled him rom his bunk and stomped on him, breaking his leg and hurling antigay epithets.
They weren’t charged with a hate crime, but with causing serious bodily harm to another individual, and both face an additional 10 years in federal lock-up.
Hannig pleaded not guilty and faces a June 3 jury trial.
At the time of Houck’s assault, O’Brien was in the detention center for robbing three banks, while Hannig was in the center stemming from an unrelated bank robbery.
Houck was in the detention center awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to one count of transporting child pornography.
—Tim Cwiek
Liberty City to endorse
The Liberty City LGBT Democratic Club will host its primary-election endorsement meeting from 6-8 p.m. April 18 at William Way LGBT Community Center, 1315 Spruce St. Only members who have attended at least two meetings and/or events in the past year and have paid their dues will be eligible to vote on endorsements.
For more information, visit www.libertycity.org.
— Angela Thomas