A Williamsport man who failed an attempted carjacking in December 2024 was sentenced to 11 to 23 months in county prison after he pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and other unrelated charges before Lycoming County Judge Ryan Gardner Tuesday afternoon.

In exchange for the plea, charges of robbery of a motor vehicle, simple assault and loitering and prowling at night against Tyler Scott Pophal, 44, were dismissed.

The incident occurred Dec. 9, 2024, when, after being transported to UPMC Williamsport, Pophal fled the hospital towards and made his way to the parking lot, where he opened the driver’s door of a vehicle, grabbed the driver’s arm and yelled at her to “get out of here,” “get out of the vehicle,” an affidavit said.

Unsuccessful in the attempt, Pophal fled south towards Park Avenue, running in between houses.

City police located Pophal in a driveway, behind a shed on Banister Place, where he was taken into custody without incident.

At his sentencing, Pophal took responsibility for his actions, though he told Gardner that he was “100% certain” that a “snitch device” had been implanted in his left ear since the incident.

“I was hearing voices. They told me to run because if I went into that hospital, I wouldn’t make it out,” he told the judge.

“They told me that she was my ride out,” he said, adding that he first attempted to enter the passenger side before opening the driver’s door.

Pophal believes he has been “messed with ever since,” he told Gardner.

“I know what’s going on,” he said.

In addition to the December 2024 incident, Pophal was also sentenced on charges of DUI, operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock system and loitering and prowling at night for a Sept. 26, 2025 after he was reported to be lurking near a camper along South Route 220 in Woodward Township.

Upon investigation by state police, it was learned the vehicle Pophal was driving was not equipped with the required ignition interlock system.

Lab results showed the presence of methamphetamine in Pophal’s system at the time of arrest, according to court testimony.

Arguing for a mitigated sentence, defense attorney Taylor Paulhamus stressed that Pophal has been successful in both inpatient treatment as well as similar options afforded to him while incarcerated, during which time he has also worked in the kitchen.

In addition to his jail sentence, Pophal was ordered to undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluations, as well as a six-year period of supervision following his release.

Pophal was also made eligible for pre-release, so that he can work towards acquiring employment and housing, and will receive credit for time served in the amount of nine months and 29 days.