Sea Isle Man Who Punched Fox 29’s Bob Kelly Pleads Guilty

The Sea Isle City man who admitted to sucker punching Fox 29's traffic reporter Bob Kelly during a charity event in Sea Isle last summer faced a judge in Cape May Court House on Monday.

Sea Isle City Man Sucker Punched Fox 29's Bob Kelly

Patrick Iannone, 22, pleaded guilty Monday to third-degree assault for the July 30 attack. He admitted to drinking excessively before walking up to Bob Kelly in a bar and punching him in the face, according to the Philadephia Inquirer's Amy S. Rosenberg.

Kelly Continues to Feel the Effects of the Sucker Punch

Bob Kelly, who was briefly knocked unconscious, has said he still sees spots from the punch, which left a scar near his left eye. Kelly objected to Patrick Iannone's attempt to apply for a “pretrial intervention,” a diversionary program allowing Iannone to avoid prosecution entirely.

Court records show that Iannone had already pleaded guilty earlier last summer to a simple assault incident at another Sea Isle City bar. He was fined $500.

Patrick Iannone Agrees to a Plea Deal

Iannon's plea deal calls for probation, anger & alcohol counseling. Cape May County prosecutor Edward Shim said the plea deal stipulates that Iannone have no contact with Kelly, who did not attend the hearing.

Man Who Struck Kelly Didn't Know Who He Was

According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Patrick Iannone told the judge he had no idea who Bob Kelly was before hitting him on July 30th at the Oar House Pub in Sea Isle City, where Kelly was hosting a charity event.

Ionnone Faces Sentencing in February

Patrick Iannone is scheduled to be back in Cape May County Superior Court on Feb 12th for sentencing. Bob Kelly is expected to appear in court for sentencing.