Schuylkill County court news
Pay or go to jail
Because of the recession banks and credit card companies are having a difficult time collecting monies owed but not the Schuylkill County Collection Agency, which operates from the office of Clerk of Courts Stephen M. Lukach at courthouse.
Lukach reported in 2010 a total of $2,002,755.48 was collected from defendants for court costs, fines and restitution with the county court receiving $723,502.23 from the $50 monthy fee imposed on each defendant placed on probation. The money goes in the Defendant's Supervision Program, managed by President Judge Willilam E. Baldwin.
This money is used towards salaries of probation officers, both adult and juvenile, and other expenses. The county receives a share of $570,810.91 with the remainder going to the state. Lukach reported in 2010 collected was $205,890.79 in fines; $1,426,609.91 in costs and $370,254.78 in restitution. Lukach reported more than 90 percent of monies owed is collected because the alternative is a prison sentence.
Swearing in ceremony
The Schuylkill County Court sat en banc for the first time since January 2009 to participate with the Schuylkill County Bar Association in swearing in ceremony to admit three attorneys as members.
Taking the oath were, Attorney Megan Duncan, 29, Harrisburg, graduate of Temple University and Beasley School of Law, was presented by Attorney Michael A. O'Pake; Attorney Rebecca Elo,,27, Orwigsburg, graduate of Widener University School of Law, presented by Attorney William C. Reiley; and Attorney Christina R. Tartamella, 28, Pottsville, graduate of Marshall-Wythe School of Law, presented by Attorney James P. Wallbillich. President Judge William E. Baldwin administered the oath.
Seated on the bench were Associate Judges Charles M. Miller, Cyrus Palmer Dolbin and Jacqueline Russell and Senior Judge C. Michael Stine. Attorney William Burke, president of the Schuylkill County Bar, welcomed the guests attending. The event was held in Number One Ceremonial Courtroom. Attorneys Duncan and Elo work as assistants in the district attorney's office.
Bench warrant hearings
Judge John E. Domalakes ruled on two bench warrant hearings.
In the case of Laverne L. Anderson III, 45, who gave his address as Hollywood, Fla., at time of arrest, the bench warrant was dissolved and bail set at $3,000 percentage cash and a condition of his release he must reside at 236 East St., Coaldale, until the charges in this case are resolved. Anderson was charged by Pottsville Cpl. Mark O'Toole, with theft, receiving stolen property, possession of drug parapahernalia and publlic drunkenness in May 2009.
The bench warrant was dissolved against Robert Allan Hamm Jr., 29, Minersville, and bail was set at $2,000 percentage cash and he must reside at 448 Lewis St., Minersville and must retain employment. He faces 10 counts of access device fraud and two counts each of theft and receiving stolen property which were filed to court by Trooper Thomas Robin in June 2009.
Revoke parole
President Judge Willliam E. Baldwin revoked the parole of two defendants.
Tyler J. Smith, 24, Mahanoy City, was remanded to the county prison for violating the terms of his probation and the court will not entertain an application for parole until he serves nine months confinement. Smith had pled guilty to a charge of forging a prescription for drugs and was placed on probation. He was cited by Mahanoy City Patrolman Michael Starr. This was the second revocation.
Cory Michael Simpson, 21, Pottsville, was revoked and he was remanded to prison and the court will not entertain an application for parole for nine months and his 381 days of liberty were taken away. Simpson had pleaded guilty to delivery of a controlled subtance, possession of a controlled subtance and criminal use of communication facility and after serving one month in prison was released on probation. He was cited by Pottsville Sht. John Morrow. This was his second revocation.
Placed In ARD
Ricky Allen Park, 52, Auburn, was admitted to the Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition (ARD) probation program for 18 months, and ordered to pay a fee of $350 to cover the cost of supervision, a $50 fee to Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, a $50 for month supervision fee, perform 15 hours of community service under the supervision of the adult probation department and enroll in Anger Management Classes. The sentence was imposed by Judge Jacqueline Russell.
Park was charged by Trooper Wesley Levan with making terroristic threats, harassment and assault on Stacy Park at the Lake Wynonah Pool in Wayne Township last June and also resisting arrest. If he completes the sentence he can clear his name.
Todd Dewitt, 42, Schuylkill Haven, was admitted to the ARD program by Senior Judge D. Michael Stine for 12 months, pay a $500 assessment fee, $300 to Substance Abuse Education fund, $50 to CJEA, a $50 monthly supervision fee, attend the alcohol highway safe driving school, receive intensive outpatient substance abuse treatment, perform 10 hours of community service and driver's license suspended 10 days. Park was charged by Schuylkill Haven Patrolman David George, with driving under the influence (DUI) and possession a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Divorces granted
Gina Sue Gehman, 1351 Laurel Lane, New Ringgold, was granted a divorce from Gregg A. Gehman, Douglasville. They were married Oct. 22, 1996.
Bernie Alonge was granted a divorce from Ashley Alonge, both of Brockton. They were married Oct. 19, 2002.
Eleanor L. Sanayka was granted a divorce from Theodore Sanayka, both of Frackville. They were married Oct. 7, 1989.
George Julian, Schuylkill Haven, was granted a divorce from Jennifer Julian, Shenandoah. They were married May 23, 1997.
File for divorce
Carol A. Freed filed suit for divorce from Glenn S. Freed, both of 7 Scenic Mountain Road, New Ringgold. They were married Oct. 11, 1998.
