Delmont woman pleads guilty for threats to Westmoreland County judge

A Delmont woman who pleaded guilty to harassing the judge who presided over a family court case she was involved in was sentenced to seven years’ probation and 18 months’ house arrest.

Jennifer Gesuale, 43, pleaded guilty this month to three sets of criminal charges, including allegations she illegally recorded court workers in 2019 and made threats against Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Michele Bononi in a series of YouTube videos she recorded after she fled the jurisdiction as prosecutors sought to revoke her bail.

Police said Gesuale posted a video March 7 in which she called for Bononi to be shot and hanged. Since 2019, Bononi presided over a custody case involving Gesuale’s children, according to court records.

Officials said Gesuale fled the area after a warrant for her arrest was issued after police filed harassment charges related the video.

According to court records, Gesuale continued to make videos she posted on the internet and was taken into custody about a week later in Ohio.

Gesuale pleaded guilty to misdemeanor and summary harassment counts in connection with the videos that threatened the judge. In a separate case, she pleaded guilty to a felony charge of fleeing from prosecution.

Westmoreland County Common Pleas Judge Christopher Feliciani ordered Gesuale remain in jail until she is released to home electronic monitoring. She also was ordered to undergo mental health treatment and have no contact with Bononi or her court staff.

Gesuale also pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor charge of stalking in connection with the allegations she recorded court officials. More serious felony wiretapping offenses were dismissed.