Domestic Incident Brings Assault Conviction For Parkesburg Man

PARKESBURG, PA — A Parkesburg man faces up to nine years in prison after he assaulted his girlfriend and threatened to kill her as she held their child.

A jury found 40-year old Dijuan Sanders guilty of Terroristic Threats, Simple Assault, and Unlawful Dissemination of an Intimate Image. The conviction results from a domestic dispute with his girlfriend in May 2020, the Chester County District Attorneys Office announced Monday.

The victim called police to report that she had been struck multiple times and bitten by Sanders while she was holding their nine-month-old baby. She was at home when the police came to the door, but he would not let her answer, threatening to kill her if she did, the district attorney's report said.

Later, when police escorted the victim back to the house to get diapers and formula, Sanders refused to let her in and yelled obscenities to the victim and police, officials reported.

The District Attorney's report did not include details about the dissemination of an intimate image.

Chester County District Attorney Deb Ryan said, "This is a defendant with no regard for his girlfriend, their child, or law enforcement as proven by his violent behavior. I commend the victim for coming forward and having the fortitude to work through the judicial process. It takes strength to step out of the shadow of an abuser."

Sanders awaits sentencing at a later date. In unrelated past cases, Sanders has plead guilty to Criminal Conspiracy, Receiving Stolen Property, Theft by Unlawful Taking, and Possession of a Weapon and served sentences.

Parkesburg Police investigated this case. Chester County Assistant District Attorneys Vincent R. Cocco and Karen Brindisi handled the prosecution.