WILKES-BARRE — A defense attorney for a Nanticoke man who admitted to stabbing a man in Wilkes-Barre last summer requested a sentence that would allow his client to remain at the Luzerne County Correctional Facility.
However, Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney James L. McMonagle noted Anthony “Niko” Perez, 30, stabbed the man in the back and evaded arrest by running from city police officers, ultimately leaving the sentence at the discretion of Judge David W. Lupas.
Lupas noted the severity of the offense when he sentenced Perez to 16 months to three years in state prison on a charge of aggravated assault and six months probation for evading arrest.
Perez apologized for his actions prior to being sentence on Monday. His attorney, Public Defender John Donovan, requested Perez remain at the county correctional facility as he has done well with no infractions.
Wilkes-Barre police arrested Perez when he was found hiding in brush near New Hancock Street after he was accused of stabbing Joseph Michael Caskey in the back on Bowman Street on June 25, 2024, according to court records.
Court records say several juvenile females were at a residence on Bowman Street to confront another juvenile female. The scene escalated into a physical confrontation that involved adults.
Caskey told police he heard someone disrespected his grandmother during the melee and was stabbed in the back by Perez who wore brass knuckles that had an attached knife, court records say.
Perez pled guilty to the charges Jan. 13. He was granted 279 days of pre-sentencing credit for time served at the county correctional facility.