Carbon County court — ARD
Eleven first-time offenders in the criminal justice system were placed in Carbon County’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program by Judge Joseph J. Matika.
If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program, their record is wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete it, or are revoked from it, then they would face trial on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.
All were placed for a year, unless otherwise noted.
Gerald Thomas Bowen, 23, of Suffolk, Virginia, was placed on a driving under the influence charge. He was arrested on May 15, 2017, along Interstate 80 at the Carbon/Luzerne County line by state police at Fern Ridge. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.
He was assessed $600 for the cost of the program, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.
Brandi Leigh Braico, 19, of Blairsville, Indiana County, was placed for six months on a charge of possession of marijuana. She was arrested on June 26, 2017, by state police at Fern Ridge along Route 534 in Kidder Township following a traffic stop.
She was assessed $650 and ordered to render 25 hours of community service.
Jack L. Follweiler, 62, of Slatington, was placed for six months on a forgery charge. He was arrested on May 4, 2017, by state police at Lehighton for an incident in East Penn Township. He was charged with changing the value on a check.
He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 25 hours of community service.
Ronald Martin Gieniec, 64, of Coaldale, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Nov. 18, 2016, along White Street by Summit Hill police. A test revealed a 0.17 BAC.
He was assessed $650, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.
Kyle David Kiddish, 22, of Weatherly, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on April 28, 2017, along Hill Street by Weatherly police. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.
He was assessed $650, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.
Louis Joseph Krieger, 58, of Weatherly, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Oct. 15, 2017, in the 600 block of Spring Mountain Road, in Packer Township, by state police at Hazleton. A test revealed a 0.08 BAC.
He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.
John Martin Plasco Lawler, 27, of Wilkes-Barre, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Jan. 3, 2017, by state police at the Pocono barracks along the turnpike in Kidder Township. A test revealed a 0.12 BAC.
He was assessed $650, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license suspended for 60 days.
Abraham Ocasio, 68, of Albrightsville, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Sept. 2, 2017, along I-80 in Kidder Township by state police at Fern Ridge. A test revealed a 0.25 BAC.
He was assessed $550, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.
James L. Madden, 18, of Bloomsburg, New Jersey, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on June 14, 2017, along the turnpike in Kidder Township by state police at Pocono. A test revealed a 0.16 BAC.
He was assessed $650, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 90 days.
Linsey Romig-Macalush, 26, of Lansford, was placed on a charge of hindering apprehension. She was arrested on Nov. 7, 2017, by Lansford police for an incident in the area of 328 W. Kline Ave.
She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.
Kevin T. Webb, 49, of Nesquehoning, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Oct. 7, 2017, by Nesquehoning police along Stock Street. A test revealed a 0.12 BAC.
He was assessed $500, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 30 days.
Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000, a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program and those charged with DUI follow any recommendation for treatment in their drug and alcohol evaluation.
