Thomas Romspert

A Butler man was sentenced to probation in Butler County Court on Thursday, after pleading guilty to assault and resisting arrest.

Thomas P. Romspert, 26, was sentenced to 18 months of county probation by President Judge Thomas Doerr. He was ordered to pay court costs, complete any recommended counseling and 40 hours of community service.

Romspert previously pleaded guilty to misdemeanor simple assault and resisting arrest on March 20.

He initially was charged with felony strangulation, misdemeanor resisting arrest, simple assault and unlawful restraint after a brief standoff with city police July 31.

The felony charge was later withdrawn, and the unlawful restraint charge was dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

Romspert was charged after police say he barricaded himself in his home in the 300 block of Third Avenue after assaulting his girlfriend.

Police said they were called shortly after 5 p.m. for a domestic dispute at Romspert's house. When officers got to the door, according to court documents, they heard a woman inside repeatedly saying, “Let me go.”

The 23-year-old victim, according to court documents, eventually opened the door. Police said they saw that she had injuries to her arms and chest.

She told police that Romspert was hiding in the attic, where it was found that he had barricaded the door. They ordered him to come out but he refused.

Police said they had to force open the door and deploy K-9 officer Blade, who bit Romspert after Romspert threw a large mattress at the dog.

The dog took Romspert to the floor, and he continued to resist, police said.

During the struggle, Blade's handler, Sgt. Dave Villotti, injured his ribs and a shoulder. He was treated at Butler Memorial Hospital.

Paramedics tended to Romspert's minor injuries at the police station.