STROUDSBURG, PA – A Stroudsburg man is free on $50,000 unsecured bail awaiting a January court date on felony aggravated assault charges stemming from an October attack that left a 29-year-old victim in critical condition.

Justin Anthony Spates, 31, was arraigned last week before Magisterial District Judge Kristina Anzini. The case has now been bound over to Monroe County Court of Common Pleas, where Spates faces formal arraignment before Judge Jonathan Mark.

Upcoming Court Date:

• January 16, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – Formal Arraignment

What Police Say Happened

The incident occurred October 4, 2025 at approximately 2:20 a.m. on the 600 block of Main Street in the Borough of Stroudsburg.

A Stroud Area Regional Police officer on routine patrol heard yelling coming from the area of Renegade Winery. Upon approaching, the officer found a male victim on the ground, bleeding from the head and facial area and unresponsive.

A witness reported the 29-year-old victim had been struck by an unknown male who fled the scene.

EMS transported the victim to a local hospital. He was subsequently transferred to a hospital in Bethlehem, where he was listed in critical condition.

Police identified Spates as the suspect following their investigation. He was arrested and arraigned November 25, 2025.

The Charges

• Aggravated Assault – Attempts to cause serious bodily injury or causes injury with extreme indifference to human life (F1)
• Simple Assault (M2)
• Recklessly Endangering Another Person (M2)
• Harassment – Subject Other to Physical Contact (S)

Defendant: Justin Anthony Spates, 31

Residence: Stroudsburg, PA

Case Number: CP-45-CR-0002033-2025

OTN: U 1016214-3

Arresting Agency: Stroud Area Regional Police Department

Arresting Officer: Daniel G. Knowles

Magisterial District Judge: Kristina Anzini

Common Pleas Judge: Hon. Jonathan Mark

Bail: $50,000 unsecured (posted)

Incident Number: 2025-024176

Prior Criminal History

Court records show Spates has prior convictions in Monroe County:

2019 DUI Case (CP-45-CR-0002202-2019): Pleaded guilty to DUI – general impairment. Sentenced December 2022 to six months probation. Additional charges including DUI with controlled substance, marijuana possession, drug paraphernalia, driving without headlights, and driving while suspended were resolved through ARD.

2022 Case (CP-45-CR-0000012-2022): Arrested August 2021. Pleaded guilty to obstructing administration of law and drug paraphernalia possession. Sentenced December 2022 to one year probation.

2024 Drug Case (CP-45-CR-0001968-2024): Pleaded guilty to drug paraphernalia possession on November 10, 2025—just 15 days before his arraignment on the current assault charges. A marijuana possession charge was nolle prossed.

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.