An affidavit of probable cause filed in Lebanon County courts reveals more information about the Tuesday arrest of 19-year-old Isaiah Williamson of Cleona, who was released Thursday after posting a $10,000 bail bond.
Williamson was arrested Tuesday, Dec. 17, by Cleona Borough police for criminal trespass, possession of a weapon on school property, and disorderly conduct.
Read More: Police arrest knife-wielding Cleona man after trespassing at elementary school
According to the criminal complaint, prior to Williamson’s arrest Tuesday he was encountered by a driver who saw the Cleona man walking south on South Center Street.
The driver slowed down, the affidavit says, and Williamson reached into his sweatshirt, “made eye contact and pulled the knife out pointing towards the complaint(ant) and laughing waving the knife in the air.”
Police were dispatched Tuesday at around 10:58 a.m.
The affidavit says the driver parked at Cleona Elementary School and saw the man walking toward the school. The driver said the man “had the knife in his hands looking in their direction waving the knife.”
The driver subsequently saw police arrive and left the area.
Arresting officer John Maldonado said in the affidavit that he made contact with Williamson by West Walnut Street just west of Cleona Boulevard and asked Williamson why he was walking around while waving a knife, but Williamson “acted like he did not know English by saying a few words in broken Spanish.”
Maldonado said in the affidavit that he began speaking to Williamson in Spanish and “could tell that he did not understand what I was saying.”
The officer added that at the time he thought the man was the same individual from previous reports, noting “we had several calls involving the male walking around with a knife waving it around.”
Williamson was warned that if he was caught on school property, he will be charged for trespass, Maldonado said in the affidavit. According to the complaint, Williamson then began cursing, yelling “f*** you, b*****” and other profanities as he walked away.
The complaint states that Maldonado proceeded to drive up to the school where the man was “walking and sticking up his middle finger and yelling ‘f*** you, you f****** b**** p******.'”
Maldonado said he could see a man and woman walking by who “seemed scared and looked over my way.”
Williamson was on East Walnut Street walking toward the school when he walked onto the grass area of the school property. He continued walking toward the school, said Maldonado in the affidavit.
Maldonado said in the affidavit that Williamson turned around when the officer was about to exit his vehicle and yelled “f*** ***,” then walked off the school property, back on it and then off again, and it was at that point he placed Williamson under arrest, searched him, and found the black knife in his sweatshirt.
Williamson had previously been arrested in July over a January assault in Palmyra. He was released on July 4, the day after his arrest, after posting a $25,000 bail bond. For that incident, Williamson faces four felony charges, three misdemeanor charges, and two summary charges, including burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary, and criminal trespass.
Williamson is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 26 for a preliminary hearing in the most recent charges, and is currently scheduled to face trial in March over the charges stemming from the January assault in Palmyra.
Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you.
Free news isn’t cheap. If you value the journalism LebTown provides to the community, then help us make it sustainable by becoming a champion of local news. You can unlock additional coverage for the community by supporting our work with a one-time contribution, or joining as a monthly or annual member. You can cancel anytime.
