New Ringgold man among 22 to enter guilty pleas

A New Ringgold man charged with theft of plastic barrels drew a probation sentence. He was among 22 people who pleaded guilty recently to criminal charges in the Schuylkill County court and were sentenced by Judge Charles M. Miller as follows:

Kemper Valentine Ritchie, 41, o 275 Cold Run Road, on a charge of theft of eight plastic gallon barrels was placed on strict probation for 12 months, and ordered to pay $50 to Criminal Justice Enhancement Account (CJEA) fund, costs of prosecution, perform 20 hours of communuty service and make restitution of $1,650 to Ash Resourches and Timothy Bosack .

Doughlas J. Schartel Jr., 28, of 114 Market St., Tamaqua, on a charge of being involved in an accident with another vehicle on the Gold Start Highway, West Mahanoy Township on Oct. 23, 2008, and failling to stop was placed on strict probation for 12 months, pay $50 to CJEA fund, pay court costs and perform 20 hours of community service. On charges of driving while his operator's license was suspended was fined $200 and for careless driving fined $25 plus $100 costs.

Rosemary Lynn Zwezig, 21, of 16 Wiggan St., New Philadelphia, rented a flat screen television from Rent-A-Center, Norwegian Township, but failed to return it and was charged with theft of leased property. She pleaded gulity and was sentenced to serve 11 months on probation, pay $50 to the CJEA fund, court costs and make restitution of $1,332.05 to the store.

She was also charged with interfering with custody of children and concealment of whereabouts of a child and was ordered to serve an additional 12 months on probation, pay $50 to the CJEA fund, and court costs.

Brian Edward Lagarenne, 20, of Pottsville, on charges of robbery, criminal conspiracy, terroristic threats, simple assault, theft and receiving stolen property, was sentenced to serve six to 23 months in the Schuylkill County prison, pay $50 to CJEA fund, pay court costs, perform 20 hours of community service and have no contact with the victim. According to information filed by Patrolman John Mohl, Pottsville police, Lagarenne with a juvenile accosted Tyler Lordeon who last May 6 was enroute to choir practice at the Trinity Lutheran Church, Pottsville. Lagarenne was ordered to make restitution of $20 he took from the victim's wallet.

Dale David Austerberry Jr., 33, Pottsville, on a charge of disorderly conduct when cited by Patrolman Brian W. Kotzmoyer, Pottsville police, last Feb. 28 on the Pottsville Boulevard, was placed on strict probation for 12 months, pay $50 to CJEA fund, and court costs. On a charge of public drunkenness was fined $100 and costs.

Margaret Ann Smith, 53. Pottsville, on charges of retail theft from Boscov's Department Store, Fairlane Village Mall, Pottsville, and defiant trespass, was placed on strict probation for 18 months, pay $50 to CJEA fund and costs of prosecution.

Timothy Earl Hostetter, 23, Auburn, on a charge of homicide by motor vehicle was sentenced to serve 11 1/2 to 23 months in the county prison and is eligible for work release. On a second charge of being involved in an accident causing death or injury and not licensed must serve three years probation to begin when the first sentence expires. He also must pay $50 to the CJEA fund and make restitution of $3,662.74 to Barry Deeds. According to Trooper Michael Allar Hostetter was in a head-on collision on SR61 in Deer Lake Borough last Jan. 25.

Matthew Thomas Farst, 34, of 229 W. Carleton Drive, Hazleton, on a charge of issuing a bad check to Wargo Coal and Oil Company, McAdoo, was given credit for serving 33 days in the county prison and released on probation for 12 months, pay $50 to CJEA fund, court costs and make restitution of $395.21 to the victim. He was cited by Patrolman Alfred Walsh, McAdoo police.

Jason Michael Forte, 31, Pottsville, on charges of loitering and prowling at night in the 600 block on Snyder Street, Pottsville, and disorderly conduct, was placed on strick probation for 12 months, pay $50 to CJEA fund and court costs. On a charge of public drunkenness was fined $50 and costs. He was cited by Patrolman Richard J. Pugh, Pottsville police.

Justin Tyler Gerhart, 21, Pottsville, on a charge of possession of a small amount of marijuana in the 100 block on West Arch Street, as charged by Patrolman Kirk Becker, Pottsville police. Gerhart was placed on probation 30 days, pay $50 to the CJEA fund, pay $100 to the SAE fund and court costs.

Justin Michael Gernert, 26, Schuylkill Haven, on charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia was placed on strict probation 12 months, pay $50 to CJEA fund, $100 to SAE fund and court costs. Gernert was cited by Patrolman Gregory Meisner, Schuylkill Haven police.

Andrew Thomas Race, 22, Pine Grove, on a charge of giving false identification to Chief Anthony M. Kulklewski, Auburn police, when stopped while riding an all terrain vehicle (ATV) on railroad company property was placed on strict probation for 12 months, pay $50 to CJEA fund, court costs. On a charge of operating an ATV on private property without consent was fined $25 plus $50 costs.

George Truscott, 44, Pottsville, on a charge of giving false information to Patrolman Kirk Becker, Pottsville police, when stopped in the 300 block on South Center Street, was placed on strict probation for 12 months, pay $50 to CJEA fund and court costs. On a charge of failing to have a driver's license was fined $200 plus 50 costs.

Richard Paul Davidson, 36, Shenandoah, on a charge of driving while his license was suspended were sentenced to serve 30 days in the county prison; on a DUI charge received a sentence of 48 hours to six months to run concurrent with the license suspension sentence and on a charge of simple assault with a deadly weapon sentenced to serve three to 23 months concurrent with the other sentences.

He also must pay $50 to the CJEA fund and costs of prosecution. On a charges of being involved in an accident causing damage was fined $300 and operating a vehicle without a valid inspection certificate fined $300 plus $100 in costs. He also was ordered to make restitution of $400 to Joseph Papa and $60 to the Schuyjlkill Medical Center. Davidson was cited by Chief Matthew Nestor, Shenandoah police, last March 31.

Special program

Eight motorist who pleaded guilty to DUI were placed in the Intermediate Punishment Program (IPP) with the following conditions:

Todd Robert Tedrick, 23, Schuylkill Haven, six months with first 15 days under house arrest with electronic surveillance and pay a $12 daily fee and the remaining four months and 45 days under regular probation and pay fine $1,000, pay $300 to SAE fund, $50 to Catastrophe fund, $60 to Schuylkill Medical Center, attend outpatient chemical dependency treatment program, perform 10 hours community service and license suspended 12 months. Tedrick was cited by Patrolman Gregory Meisner, Schuylklll Haven police, last March 14.

Laura May Reisenwitz, 49, Orwigsburg, placed for six months with first 25 days under house arrest, followed by four months and 35 days under regular probation, pay a fine of $1,000, pay $10 to SAE fund and $50 to Catastrophe fund, complete DUI schooling, attend outpatient counseling, perform 10 hours community sevice and pay court costs. On a charge of disregarding the traffic lane was fined $25 plus $50 fines. She was cited by Patrolman Scott Davis, Orwigsburg police, last May 11.

Sarah Margaret Gaffney, 21, Pine Grove, six months with first 25 days under house arrest, fined $750, pay $100 to SAE fund and $100 to Catastrophe fund, $60 to Schuylkill Medical Center and license suspended 12 months. On charges of failing to drive at a safe speed fined $25 and failing to use seat belt fined $10 plus $100 in costs. Gaffney was cited by Trooper John Carr when stopped in Mount Carbon on Sept. 25, 2008.

Ryan Scott Mullen, 25, Schuylkill Haven, on charges of possession of an offensive weapon (explosives found in his vehicle), DUI, DUI of combined influence of alcohol and drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia and possessing an open can of alcohol beverage in his car, was placed for six months with first 15 days under the house arrest and 45 days and four months under probation, fined $1,000, pay $100 to SAE fund and $100 to Catastrophe fund and $60 to Schuylkill Medical Center, complete alcohol highway safety school and outpatient counseling, perform 10 hours of community service and license suspended 12 months. On a charge of required to have proper lighting on his vehicle was fined $25 and $50 costs. Mullen was cited by Cpl. Jeffrey Futchko, Pine Grove police, on Dec. 31, 2008.

Jonathan Eric Williams, 25, Pottsville, placed for six months on a DUI charge with first 10 days under house arrest, fined $500, pay $100 to SAE fund, $50 to Catastrophe fund, $60 to Schuylkill Medical Center, complete DUI school and license suspended 12 months. On a charge of careless driving fined $25 plus $50 costs. Williams was cited by Trooper Michael Allar when stopped on SR61 in West Brunswick Township last Feb. 7.

Daniel Richard Goss, 65, Schuylkill Haven, was placed for six months for DUI, fined $300, pay $100 to SAE fund, $100 to Catastrophe fund and $60 to Schuylkill Medical Lab, complete DUI school, outpatient counseling and license suspended 12 months. On a charge of failing to drive on the right side of the road was fined $25 plus $50 costs. Goss was cited by Sargent John Morrow, Pottsville police, on July 4, 2008.

Barry James McGurl, 56, Hegins, placed for six months for DUI, fined $1,000, pay $300 to SAE fund, $50 to Catastrophe fund, $60 to Schuylkill Medical Center, complete highway safety school and intensive outpatient treatment program and license suspended 12 months. On a charge of failing to drive on roadway laned for traffic fined $25 plus $50 costs. McGurl was cited by Trooper Paul Hardnock when stopped on Sunbury Road in Barry Township last Christmas Day.

Phillip Holzer, 29, Schuylkill Haven placed on DUI charge for five years with first 30 days spent in the county prison followed by four years and 11 months probation, fined $1,500, pay $300 to SAE fund, $100 to Catastrophe fund, $60 to Schuylkill Medical Center and license suspended 18 months. On a charge of possesson of drug paraphernalia received 12 months on probation to be served concurrent with the DUI sentence. Holzer was cited by Patrolman Kenenth Jacoby, Schuylkill Haven police, last March 13.

Each defendant must also pay a $50 per month supervision fee.