LIBERTY — A Sullivan County jury on March 25 found two men guilty of attempted gang assault in the first degree following a six-day trial stemming from a 2025 beating at a Liberty motel, District Attorney Brian P. Conaty announced.

Richard Olsen Jr., 41, and Jonathan Nipitella, 44, were convicted of the class C violent felony for their roles in an attack on Dylan Pascariello at the Knights Inn on March 28, 2025.

Prosecutors said Olsen and Nipitella, along with co-defendants Michael Maus and Dante Vandunk Jr., attempted to cause serious physical injury by beating Pascariello and kicking him in the head.

Pascariello was transported to the hospital and treated for a facial fracture and internal brain hemorrhaging as a result of the assault.

Maus previously pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, while Vandunk pleaded guilty to gang assault in the first degree. Both are awaiting sentencing. Olsen and Nipitella proceeded to trial.

The investigation was conducted by the Village of Liberty Police Department, which secured video evidence that prosecutors said was critical to identifying those involved.

In a statement, Conaty credited the jury and law enforcement for the outcome.

“I want to thank the jury for returning a just verdict, and also thank the Village of Liberty Police Department for their swift efforts in securing video evidence, interviewing witnesses, and identifying and locating the perpetrators of this crime,” he said. “Without their efforts, this crime likely would have gone unsolved because the victim could not identify the perpetrators as a result of his injuries.”

The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorney Danielle Blackaby with assistance from Senior Assistant District Attorney Thomas Raleigh.

Olsen and Nipitella were represented by attorneys Michael McGuire, Esq. and Frank Labuda, Esq. respectively. Sullivan County Court Judge James R. Farrell presided over the trial.

Sentencing is scheduled for June 15.