East Donegal Township landlord charged with threatening, spying on, repeatedly assaulting tenant waives preliminary hearing
An East Donegal Township landlord charged with repeatedly spying on, threatening and repeatedly assaulting a tenant in his home – sometimes with a knife – will have his case proceed to county court after waiving his preliminary hearing last month.
Kenneth William Roberto, 52, waived his preliminary hearing before Judge Michael Hess on Dec. 29 on three counts of aggravated assault and a single count each of intimidating a witness, simple assault, harassment, stalking and promoting prostitution.
Roberto is accused of assaulting and threatening the victim multiple times at their shared residence in the 400 block of Tanger Street between October and December 2025. Roberto is also accused of spying on the victim by placing cameras around the home during that period.
The attacks, threats and the constant surveillance left the victim in a constant state of fear between attacks, he told police.
In one early October incident Roberto slashed the victim with a steak knife after getting upset over dirty dishes, the victim told police. As the victim attempted to run away from Roberto he stabbed him in the back with the knife, he said.
Another attack occurred in early December, when the victim said Roberto threw a knife at him.
Despite scars that corroborated his story, the victim never contacted police about the incident, he said, because Roberto continuously threatened to call his probation officer and have him placed in jail if he did. The victim was under house arrest at the time of the attack.
After a third attack in which Roberto is accused of throwing a paint roller at the victim’s head he contacted police.
The victim also said Roberto recorded him – sometimes secretly and other times blatantly – by placing cameras around the home.
Roberto is currently free on $100,000 unsecured bail.
Susquehanna Regional Police Officer Zachary Meador filed the charges. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
