A Lehighton man who threatened to blow himself up during a Memorial Day 2024 confrontation with police near the D & L Trail has been sentenced to up to two years in prison.

According to court records, Jason John Shiffert, 44, pleaded guilty to risking catastrophe and terroristic threats in a negotiated plea before Judge Steven R. Serfass. Shiffert was sentenced Tuesday to serve seven months to nearly two years in prison, followed by four years of probation.

The charges stemmed from an incident May 27, 2024, when police said Shiffert, who was described in court papers as homeless, set several fires and threatened to detonate propane tanks at a tent encampment along the Lehigh River near the D & L Trail.

Cpl. Bruce Broyles of the Lehighton Borough Police Department detailed the events in a criminal complaint. He said that at 8:10 a.m. that morning, Carbon County Communications dispatched officers to the area behind Lorenzo’s Pizzeria in the 400 block of North First Street for a reported fire.

Broyles and Officer Justus Altmiller checked the area and “heard the sound of explosions,” along with someone yelling nearby.

The officers followed the noise to the Lehigh River, where they found a man later identified as Shiffert standing near a small brush fire. According to the affidavit, Shiffert told police he would “put up a fight” and said he needed methamphetamine from a man named Jeff.

Broyles said the fire “was engulfed and seemed to be spreading,” and that several other small open fires were burning nearby, some with small propane tanks placed on top of the flames.

Police ordered Shiffert to put out the fire, but he refused and began retreating toward a tent. Shiffert told officers he was armed with a hatchet and a long-handled shovel.

When officers tried to stop him, Shiffert “chased officers, raising the machete in the air.” Broyles said both officers drew their duty weapons and gave commands for Shiffert to drop the blade. He eventually did, but then grabbed a propane tank and a butane torch, threatening to “blow himself and officers up” while walking toward them again.

Additional police units were called to the scene. Officers from Franklin Township, Mahoning Township and the Pennsylvania State Police responded, and a perimeter was established around Shiffert’s tent.

According to the report, Shiffert told officers he had “numerous propane tanks in the tent” and that he “would not hesitate to set himself on fire or blow himself up.” He also said he wanted to die and needed methamphetamine.

While police waited for drone and special response units, Shiffert lit “numerous fires inside his tent,” which partially collapsed. Broyles said Shiffert also set a propane tank on fire inside the tent before officers were able to take him into custody “without further incident.”

Authorities said that as a result of Shiffert’s actions, both Pocono Whitewater rafting and Norfolk Southern Railroad were asked to halt operations in the area for safety reasons.

In addition to his prison term, Shiffert was ordered to undergo a comprehensive drug and alcohol evaluation and follow all recommended treatment. He must also successfully complete the rehabilitation program he is currently enrolled in.

Court documents state he will receive 314 days of credit for time served. His fines and court costs total $4,195, and he was placed on a payment plan through Carbon County Court.