Carbon County court — DUI

A Schuylkill County man admitted in Carbon County court on Feb. 25 to driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol with his two children in the vehicle.

He was one of 26 defendants in pending DUI cases to enter a guilty plea before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II.

Lehighton incident

Patrick John Scheuer, 43, of New Ringgold, pleaded guilty to one count each of DUI and endangering the welfare of a child.

Scheuer was arrested on Dec. 28, 2018, by Lehighton police along Route 443 (Blakeslee Boulevard). At the stop police found two juveniles in the vehicle, ages 4 and 9. Scheuer submitted to a blood draw with the result being 0.24 BAC.

Scheuer admitted to an alcohol abuse problem, but said since his arrest he has addressed it. He successfully completed an inpatient drug and alcohol rehabilitation program run by the Salvation Army. He continues to attend AA meetings.

Defense Attorney Paul J. Levy said the incident was “out of character” for his client.

Scheuer told the court he made some regrettable decisions and added, “Not a day goes by that I don’t think of what could have happened.” He said his drinking resulted in the end of his marriage. He is working to regain a relationship his children, who are in the custody of his ex-wife.

On both counts Nanovic sentenced him to serve three to 18 months in prison, pay a fine of $1,000, license suspended for 18 months, render 100 hours of community service, zero tolerance for drug or alcohol use and supply a DNA sample. The prison terms run concurrently.

He was given credit for 90 days of the 174 days he spent inpatient and paroled.

Other pleas

The following pleaded to DUI or DUI-related offenses:

Stephen John Susel, 52, of Palmerton, entered pleas in three pending cases to two counts each of DUI and driving under suspension and one count of possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested for the DUI counts on Nov. 23, 2017, and Oct. 8, 2018, by state police at Lehighton for DUI of alcohol. The drug arrest occurred on March 18, 2018, filed by Palmerton police.

He was also scheduled to be sentenced in another case he previously pleaded to of persistent disorderly conduct.

All sentencings were deferred as he needs to obtain a D&A evaluation for the DUI counts.

Matthew John Madochick, 29, of Allentown, was arrested on July 29, 2019, by Lehighton police for DUI of alcohol. He also pleaded to impersonating a public servant. At the stop Madochick told police he was a police officer with the Pocono Mountain Regional police. A check with that agency determined Madochick was not a police officer.

On the DUI charge, Nanovic sentenced him to serve five days to six months in jail, pay a fine of $300 and one-year license suspension. On the impersonating charge he was placed on probation for six months, consecutive to the DUI charge.

He will begin serving the prison term at 2 a.m. on March 7 and serve three days; then March 20, and serve two days.

Wes Lee Brown, 48, of Catasauqua, was arrested on Oct. 5, 2017, by Lehighton police for DUI of a controlled substance.

On Monday Brown was sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve 27 to 54 months in a state prison on drug charges.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve three to six months in a state prison, pay a fine of $1,000 and one-year license suspension. He was given credit for four days served. The term runs concurrent with Matika’s sentence.

Joseph E. Earley, 29, of Coaldale, pleaded to two counts of DUI. He was arrested on Jan. 28 and March 11, 2019, both by Lansford police for DUI of a controlled substance.

Sentencing was deferred.

Joshua Thack, 23, of Lehighton, pleaded to two counts of DUI. He was arrested on March 19, 2019, by state police at Lehighton and on May 27, 2019, by Franklin Township police. In both cases he was charged with DUI of a controlled substance.

Sentencing was deferred.

Marc Anthony Elmore, 21, of Whitehall, was arrested on Dec. 9, 2018, by Weatherly police for DUI of a controlled substance.

Sentencing was deferred so Elmore can obtain a comprehensive drug and alcohol evaluation.

Nicholas Ryan Sickonic, 26, of Whitehall, was arrested on July 1, 2019, by state police at Lehighton for DUI of a controlled substance.

He was sentenced to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, pay a fine of $1,000 and his license was suspended for a year.

He will begin the jail term at 8 a.m. on March 6.

Michael William Sandiford, 34, of Hazleton, was arrested on July 19, 2019, by Lehighton police for DUI of a controlled substance.

Sentencing was deferred so he can obtain a comprehensive D&A evaluation.

Melissa S. Rahn, 31, of Parryville, was arrested on Aug. 7, 2019, by state police at Lehighton for DUI of a controlled substance. She also pleaded to driving under suspension and careless driving. A fleeing or attempting to elude police charge was dropped in a plea bargain with the district attorney’s office.

Sentencing was deferred.

Frederick Robert Miller, 51, of Palmerton, was arrested on Sept. 24, 2019, by state police at Lehighton for DUI of alcohol.

A first offense, Miller was placed on probation for six months and ordered to pay a fine of $300.

Brad J. Boyer, 51, of Allentown, was arrested on April 24, 2019, by state police at Lehighton for DUI of alcohol. He was originally charged with five counts including recklessly endangering another person, which was dropped in a plea deal.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve 48 hours to six months in jail, pay a fine of $1,000 and one-year license suspension.

He will begin serving the jail term at 8 a.m. on March 10.

Brad E. Sutton, 41, of Tamaqua, was arrested on Sept. 13, 2019, by Franklin Township for DUI of a controlled substance. He was originally charged with 10 counts, including seven DUI counts.

Sentencing was deferred so Sutton can obtain a comprehensive D&A evaluation.

Matthew Elliot Markley, 30, of Lehighton, was arrested on Aug. 2, 2016, by state police at Lehighton for DUI of a controlled substance. Markley is currently an inmate in the county prison on other pending charges.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve 10 days to two years in prison, pay a fine of $1,500 and one-year license suspension. He began the jail term immediately.

Kyle B. Gerber, 23, of Palmerton, was arrested Jan. 29, 2019, by state police at Lehighton for DUI of a controlled substance. He was originally charged with 11 counts, including eight summary motor vehicle code violations.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, pay a fine of $1,000 and one year license suspension.

He also pleaded to driving without a license and was fined $200.

Amanda Jane Hudock, 37, of Issaquah, Washington, was arrested on March 13, 2016, by state police at Fern Ridge for DUI of alcohol.

She was sentenced to serve five days to six months in jail, pay a fine of $300 and one-year license suspension.

She will begin the jail term on March 3 at 9 a.m.

Richard Turnbach, 52, of Kunkletown, was arrested on Aug. 18, 2018, by state police at Lehighton for DUI of alcohol.

Sentencing was deferred so he can obtain a D&A evaluation.

Stephen P. Ruger, 54, of Palmerton, was arrested on May 6, 2019, by Lehighton police for DUI of a controlled substance.

Sentencing was deferred.

Elijah Holmes Santiago, 24, of Weissport, was arrested on March 26, 2018, by Lehighton police for DUI of a controlled substance.

He was sentenced to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, pay a fine of $1,000 and one-year license suspension.

He begins the jail term at noon on March 15.

David J. Acevedo, 31, of Tamaqua, was arrested on Sept. 1, 2019, by Lansford police for DUI of a controlled substance.

Sentencing was deferred so he can obtain a D&A evaluation.

James D. Loyd, 42, of Weissport, was arrested on July 19, 2019, by Lehighton police for DUI of a controlled substance.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, pay a fine of $1,000 and license suspended for a year. On a driving under suspension charge he was fined $200.

He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on March 27.

Trevor G. Sommerfield, 38, of Jim Thorpe, was arrested on April 1, 2018, by Jim Thorpe police for DUI of alcohol. He was originally charged with eight counts, including six summary motor vehicle code violations.

Sentencing was deferred so he can obtain a D&A evaluation.

Billijo Ruvolo, 45, of Lansford, was arrested on Oct. 17, 2019, by Summit Hill police for DUI of alcohol.

A first offense she was placed on probation for six months and ordered to pay a fine of $300.

Russell M. Jacoby III, 52, of Slatedale, was arrested on Aug. 30, 2019, by state police at Lehighton for DUI of a controlled substance.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve 72 hours to six months in jail, pay a fine of $1,000 and license suspended for a year.

He will begin the jail term at 8 a.m. on March 6.

Patrick S. Becker, 48, of Weissport, was arrested on Oct. 16, 2019, by Lehighton police for DUI of alcohol.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve five days to six months in jail, pay a fine of $300 and one year license suspension.

He will begin the jail term on March 7 at 8 a.m. and serve two days; then March 14 at 8 a.m. and serve three days.

Theron David Jones, 24, of Palmerton, pleaded to a summary offense of careless driving. He was arrested on Jan. 18, 2015, by state police at Lehighton for DUI of a controlled substance. The DUI count was dropped in a plea bargain.

Nanovic imposed a fine of $25.

Each defendant sentenced must also pay court costs of about $1,000, pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole or probation and follow any recommendation of their drug and alcohol evaluation.