Self-described community watchdog Ron Harper Jr. was cited by Franklin & Marshall College security with trespassing Tuesday at the home of college president John Fry after being barred from college property.

Two citations were filed in Lancaster Township charging Harper, 44, of Stevens, with disorderly conduct and defiant trespass.

At a press conference Wednesday, Harper denied the charges. He said he was assaulted by campus security guards. He had a large, fresh scrape and bump on his forehead that he said they inflicted, but said he has not filed charges against them.

According to the citations, the altercation took place about 2:30 p.m. at Fry's home, 508 N. School Lane, which is owned by the college.

Harper had made repeated visits to Fry's house before, including one after he had been told to stay away, college spokeswoman Dulcey Antonucci said Wednesday. Last week, campus security notified Harper in writing that he is banned from all F&M property, she said.

Fry and his wife "were concerned for the safety of their three young children," Antonucci said.

Harper admitted he had made several attempts to contact Fry for an article about F&M, but he insisted his attempts were peaceful.

An F&M employee called campus security Tuesday afternoon, claiming she saw Harper walk up Fry's driveway and onto his front lawn, according to Antonucci.

Harper said he stayed on the sidewalk at the corner of School Lane and Marietta Avenue and never set foot on Fry's property.

Security guards responded to the call and arrested both Harper and his business partner, Chris Hart Nibbrig of Mountville, Antonucci said.

Hart Nibbrig later was released without being charged, but was warned that he too is now banned from all F&M property.

The citation filed in District Judge Mary Mongiovi Sponaugle's office states that Harper "did engage in fighting or threatening or in violent or tumultuous behavior towards law enforcement by being uncooperative, argumentative and belligerent when being questioned."

Harper said he "resisted in no way," and that he was needlessly shoved to the ground and his head hit the pavement.

In a video of part of the incident that Harper uploaded to his Web site, it appears that security guards confront Harper across Marietta Avenue from Fry's corner property on School Lane.

Although that is not F&M property, Antonucci said security guards felt they had jurisdiction to arrest Harper due to his proximity to the Fry home.

City police issued a news release Wednesday stating they were called by F&M's security office about the incident at 2:26 p.m. Tuesday.

The release states police were called again 14 minutes later and told the scene had been cleared and that Harper and Hart Nibbrig were in custody. No city officers were sent to the scene.

Harper and Hart Nibbrig said they were kept in handcuffs and questioned at the F&M security office for about two hours before they were released.

E-mail: preilly@lnpnews.com