LEBANON, Pa. — A man from Lebanon was convicted last week of aggravated assault after a violent incident at a local bar left a bartender with severe injuries. The conviction was announced by Lebanon County District Attorney Pier Hess Graf, who detailed the events surrounding the case.
Ricardo Berrios Hernandez, 28, was found guilty by a jury on April 23. The assault occurred on June 12, 2024, at the Downtown Lounge, where Hernandez became increasingly hostile toward the bar staff. Graf reported that as employees attempted to escort him out, Hernandez launched an attack on multiple female workers, delivering a blow to one bartender that was powerful enough to shatter her jaw.
The victim suffered serious injuries requiring surgical intervention, and her jaw remains wired shut as she heals. Graf emphasized the enduring impact of the assault on the victim’s life, noting the physical and emotional toll that such violence can impose.
Following the attack, Hernandez fled the scene and changed his clothing in an attempt to evade law enforcement. He later traveled to Chicago, where authorities with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force apprehended him and brought him back to Pennsylvania to face charges.
This incident is not Hernandez’s first brush with the law; he has previous convictions for robbery in 2021 in Illinois and in Lebanon County in 2012. Graf remarked on the defendant’s attempts to claim self-defense during the trial, stating that thorough investigation and witness testimony made it clear to the jury that the assault was unprovoked and brutal.
“What happened that night was a clear example of senseless violence,” Graf said. “The victim will continue to face the repercussions of this act for a long time. Those with a history of violent behavior deserve strict accountability for their actions.”
As Hernandez awaits sentencing, the case has highlighted concerns about violence in public spaces and the ongoing challenges faced by bar staff in managing difficult situations. The community remains shaken, and the justice system’s response will be closely monitored as it aims to address such acts of aggression.