Sheriff deputies return Theresa Salazar to the Lycoming County Prison in Sept. 2022. SUN-GAZETTE FILE PHOTO

Williamsport woman who crashed into Little League Museum sentenced

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Theresa Salazar was sentenced to serve 72 months to 43 years in prison in a Lycoming County courtroom Thursday.

In November, a jury found Salazar, 58, guilty of risking catastrophe, terroristic threats, criminal trespass, criminal mischief and six counts of reckless endangering for a July 2022 incident in which she rammed her 2006 Saturn Relay into the entrance of the Peter J. McGovern World of Little League Museum on Route 15 in South Williamsport.

The sentencing was the culmination of more than 20 years of animosity between Salazar and Little League International, stemming from Salazar’s belief that her great uncles, George and Bert Bebble have been effectively written out as founders of Little League baseball.

Before sentencing proceedings began, Judge Eric Linhardt entertained a motion from defense attorney Helen Stolinas to be removed as counsel for Salazar.

Stolinas explained the reason for this motion being that Salazar was insistent that she pursue avenues of appeal and file motions Stolinas herself referred to as “frivolous.”

Linhardt granted the motion with the caveat that Stolinas would stay on as counsel through the sentencing and during the 10-day post-sentence period.

In an exchange, Salazar requested that her new attorney not be associated with the Freemasons, as she said it would constitute a conflict of interest.

Linhardt chided Salazar, noting that Stolinas was her second court-ordered defense attorney, warning her that she could not “pick and choose or shop around” for attorneys who will file any motions she requests.

Reading from the pre-sentencing report prepared by the Adult Probation Office, Judge Linhardt characterized Salazar as cooperative throughout the interview, though at times, “hyper-focused” on odd topics, such as wanting the court to know that she is a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, as well as a former Playboy Bunny.

The report also stated that Salazar was “unwilling to accept the verdict.”

In arguing for a reduced sentence, Stolinas cited Salazar’s “poor health,” familial relations, and time served.

Stolinas, admittedly against Salazar’s wishes, argued that she believes Salazar suffers from undiagnosed mental health issues, pressing that prison is not an adequate environment to receive treatment for such conditions.

Salazar addressed the court directly, stating that she did nothing wrong.

She argued that the jury had been “deceived by the district attorney,” stating that her identification at the crime scene had left “a bad taste in their mouth.”

She also made vague references to the differences in the style and length of her hair, compared to the video surveillance of the incident, relating that these were serious issues that Stolinas refused to bring forward.

Two witnesses were called by Assistant District Attorney Matthew Welickovitch.

The first to speak was Joy McCoy, Senior Vice President/Chief Legal Officer, who said the attack “rocked the foundation of Little League baseball and all it serves.”

McCoy stressed that it was only by chance that no one was harmed or killed by Salazar, adding that she has no faith that her crusade would not continue and even escalate if and when Salazar gets released.

Next up, museum coordinator Melissa Mull, to whom Salazar uttered the phrase, “I’m Theresa Salazar. You know who I am. You should be afraid,” following the crash, recounted the effect that day has had on her and her co-workers.

Mull said she has suffered from nightmares of the crash, including scenarios in which patrons were harmed and she cannot help them.

An environment of anxiety persists throughout Little League, and the museum in particular, due to the serious nature that some parents and fans take with the games, she said.

“Is the next letter or person going to be the one to escalate to another incident,” Mull said, are among the questions the staff now asks themselves.

The crash was “tantamount to terrorism,” Welickovitch said, in pleading for the longest sentence possible.

Welickovitch said that Salazar has demonstrated zero responsibility, zero remorse, and zero potential for rehabilitation, citing in particular, her reluctance to participate in psychiatric evaluations.

“Does anyone believe that this vendetta will not continue upon her release and possibly escalate,” Welickovitch asked.

“I don’t think so, and next time we might not be so lucky,” he said, insisting that there is a high probability that people will be killed in the next attack.

In handing down the sentence, Linhardt did not mince words.

“You have an absolute right to defend yourself,” he told Salazar.

“What you do not have the right to do is to take the witness stand and lie under oath,” he said, telling Salazar, “the jury clearly rejected your absurd claim that this was an accident, and the court rejects your ludicrous claim that this was caused by sneezing.”

Linhardt said he shares the commonwealth concern that Salazar suffers from not only an alcohol abuse problem, but also serious, underlying un-diagnosed mental health issues.

Linhardt said the incident was the “result of a 20-year obsession that will continue and escalate,” and that on the day Salazar is released, she will pose an immediate danger to those associated with Little League, including the public.

“The only way to ensure the safety of the public,” he said, “is to impose the longest sentence possible.”

Salazar will receive 18 ½ months credit for time served.

Should she ever be eligible for parole, Salazar will be required to perform 200 hours of community service, pay $5,000 restitution to Little League International, and will be banned from all locations owned by the organization, as well as from contacting anyone associated with Little League International.