Nine first time offenders placed in probation program

Nine first time offenders in criminal cases were placed in Carbon County's Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) probation program recently.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program their record is wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete the program the Commonwealth reserves the right to prosecute them on all charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program. All were placed for a year, unless otherwise noted.

Those placed included:

Jordan Arthur Haas, 18, of Kunkletown, was placed on a charge of retail theft. He was arrested on Aug. 12, 2009, by Mahoning Township police for an incident at the Walmart store involving $198.10 worth of merchandise.

He was ordered to pay $500 and costs, get his General Education Dipolma (GED), get a fulltime job and render 10 hours of community service.

Laura J. Kroboth, 20, of Slatington, was placed in the program on a theft count. She was arrested by Mahoning Township police for an incident at the Walmart store invovling $190 in cash taken where she was once an employee.

She was ordered to pay $350 and costs, restitution of $190 and render 10 hours of community service.

Harold L. Maurer Jr., 65, and William J. Maurer, 43, both of Jim Thorpe, were both charged from the same incident on July 16, 2009, at the Jim Thorpe Campgrounds. Harold Maurer was charged with obstructing the administration of law and William Maurer was charged with aggravated assault and related counts. A baseball bat was allegedly involved in the incident. The listed victim was Timothy J. McCullion.

Harold Maurer was ordered to pay $350 and costs and William Maurer was ordered to pay $350 and costs and attend anger management counseling. William Maurer's placement is for two years.

Ronald Lee Ewashko Jr., 37, of Center Valley, was placed on a charge of driving under the influence (DUI). He was arrested on Aug. 6, 2009, along the turnpike in East Penn Township. Given a test, the result was .24BAC.

He was ordered to pay $450 and costs, get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, and license suspended for 60 days.

Thomas Frey Jr., 35, of Coaldale, was placed on a charge of terroristic threats and DUI. He was arrested on April 23, 2009, by Lansford police with John Zwiesdak the listed victim.

He was ordered to pay $450 and costs, get both a D&A and mental health evaluations, attend anger management counseling, license suspended for 60 days and render 17 hours of community service.

Janna Lesko, 20, of Palmerton, was placed on a theft count. She was arrested on Aug. 6, 2009, by Palmerton police with Loretta Lesko the listed victim involving jewelry being taken.

She was ordered to pay $350 and costs, make restitution of $1,300, continue D&A counseling and render 10 hours of community service.

Ronald Warern Rice Jr., 39,, of Easton, was placed on a stalking charge. He was arrested on Nov. 15, 2009, by Palmerton police for a domestic incident with Lynn Held the listed victim.

He was ordered to pay $350 and costs, get a mental health evaluation and have no contact with the victim. The ARD runs for two years.

Christine M. Stover, 22, of Bath, was placed on a charge of false indentification to law enforcement. She was arrested on June 14, 2009, by Kidder Township police in Lake Harmony.

She was ordered to pay $350 and costs. The ARD runs for three months.

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