Nine first time offenders placed in probation program

Nine area residents who appeared recently in the Schuylkill County Court were given a second chance by President Judge William E. Baldwin when he granted the motion of District Attorney James P. Goodman to have them admitted to the Accelerated Rehabilative Disposition (ARD) probation program for first offenders to give them a chance to clear their name by carrying out a sentence imposed by the judge.

All were placed for a year, unless otherwise noted.

Matthew Coccio, 37, of 25 Market St., Tamaqua, on a charge of driving under the influence (DUI) was ordered to pay a $500 assessment fee to cover cost of the program, pay $50 to Criminal Justice Enhancement Account (CJEA) fund, pay $300 to Substance Abuse Education (SAE) fund, perform 10 hours community service, make restitution of $60 to Schuylkill Medical Center, receive outpatient counseling. He was cited by Tamaqua Patrolman Thomas Rodgers last Sept. 27.

Sloane P. Culbert, 22, of 99 Jones St., Quakake, Rush Township, on a DUI charge was ordered to pay $500 assessment, $100 to SAE fund, $50 to CJEA fund, $60 to Schuyliill Medical Center, perform 10 hours community service, receive outpatient substance abuse counseling and pay court costs. Culbert was cited by Patrolman Jonathan McHugh, Rush Township police.

Christopher A. Field, 18, of 214 E. Ludlow St., Summit Hill, was ordered to pay $350 assessment for the program, $100 to SAE fund, $50 to CJEA fund, and to have possession of drug paraphenalia dismissed. On a disorderly conduct charge he was fined $25 plus costs. Field was cited by Sgt. Richard Weaver, Tamaqua police, last Oct. 2.

Eric L. Hardy, 24, of 139 Mahanoy St., Tamaqua, on drug charges was ordered to pay $350 assessment, pay $100 to SAE fund and $50 to CJEA fund. Hardy was cited by Patrolman Brian Thompson, Rush Township police, last Aug. 21 on Tuscarora Park Road.

Lorraine Faye Hoffman, 20, of 32 Main St., Kaska, Blythe Township, on charges of criminal conspiracy, retail theft and receiving stolen property was ordered to pay $350 assessment and pay $50 to CJEA fund. Hoffman was cited by Patrolman Brian Thompson, Rush Township police, last Sept. 20 at the Walmart store.

John R. Hruniak, 25, Mahanoy City, on a DUI charge was ordered to pay $500 assessment, pay $100 to SAE fund, $50 to CJEA fund, $113 to Bethlehem Regional Lab, enroll in group intervention program and driver's license suspended 60 days. Hruniak was cited by Trooper Joseph Aponek when stopped on Interstate 81 in Kline Township on Dec. 13, 2008.

Trevor A. Snyder, 21, of 577 Blue Mountain Drive, Andreas, West Penn Township, on charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia was ordered to pay $350 assessment, pay $100 to SAE fund, $50 to CJEA fund and $113 to Bethelehem Regional Lab. Snyder was cited by Patrolman Jonathan McHugh, Rush Township police, last April 19 on Tuscarora Park Road.

Jeffrey Christopher Teter, 36, of 1125 Catawissa Creek Road, Zion Grove, North Union Township, on a DUI charge was ordered to pay $500 assessment, pay $300 to SAE fund, $50 to CJEA fund, undergo intensive outpatient counseling, perform 10 hours community service and driver's license suspended 60 days. Teter was cited by Trooper Joseph Aponick last Sept. 21 when stopped on SR4033 in North Union Township.

Jason L. Tischler, 24, of 315 Greenwood St., Tamaqua, on a DUI charge was ordered to pay $500 assessment, $100 to SAE fund, $50 to CJEA fund, undergo outpatient counseling and 30 day driver's license suspension. Tischler was cited by Patrolman Jonathan McHugh, Rush Township police, last July on Tuscarora State Park Road.

Each defendant must pay court costs and a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program.