Carbon County court
Carbon County Judge Joseph J. Matika sentenced seven defendants on Thursday. In addition to their punishments, all must pay court costs and fees.
Talon W. Lewis, 19, of Summit Hill, pleaded to one count of simple assault. He was arrested on Oct. 7 by Summit Hill police following a domestic incident in which he assaulted the boyfriend of his girlfriend’s mother. He admitted punching the victim in the face several times.
Matika sentenced him to 11 days to 18 months in jail, with credit for 11 days he’s already served; 75 hours of community service; drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations; anger management sessions; and to have no contact with the victim.
Jeremiah Herberger, 34, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of simple assault. He was arrested on July 10 by Lansford police after assaulting his wife, who required medical attention.
Matika sentenced him to one year of probation and 50 hours of community service. Herberger also must pay $104.19 restitution to his victim and $467.74 to the state Department of Human Services.
John Azzarelli, 26, of Dunmore, Lackawanna County, was arrested on May 14 by Kidder Township police along Route 903. A test revealed a 0.10 BAC.
Matika sentenced him to five days to six months in jail, to be served on weekends so as not to interfere with Azzarelli’s work schedule.
Matika fined him $300, ordered him to perform 25 hours of community service, to complete Alcohol Highway Safety School, zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol, and to participate in a treatment intervention group. Azzarelli’s license was suspended for one year.
Amy M. Lower, 39, of Nesquehoning, was arrested May 12 by Nesquehoning police along Route 209. A blood test revealed controlled substances in her system.
Matika sentenced her to six months on house arrest, with 15 days on electronic monitoring. She was fined $1,000, her license was suspended for one year, and she was ordered to perform 25 hours of community service and to complete Alcohol Highway Safety School.
Elijah N.D. Nicholas, 26, of Albrightsville, was arrested on Nov. 25, 2016, by Lansford police.
He pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of a controlled substance and driving while his license was suspended.
Matika sentenced him on the DUI charge to 72 hours to six months in jail, fined him $1,000, ordered him to perform 25 hours of community service, to complete Alcohol Highway Safety School, and to participate in a treatment intervention group. Nicholas’ license was suspended for one year.
Matika fined him $200 on the charge of driving with a suspended license.
Luis R. Aviles-Muniz, 22, of Hazleton, pleaded guilty to aggravated harassment by a prisoner. He was charged by Nesquehoning police for spitting on three correctional officers on Nov. 8, 2016, at the county prison.
Matika sentenced him to 21 to 42 months in state prison, with credit for the 193 days he’s already served. Aviles-Muniz also must submit a DNA sample, and undergo mental health and drug and alcohol evaluations and comply with any treatment recommendations.
Matika also imposed zero tolerance for drugs and alcohol, and no contact with the officers.
Ryan W. Lieberman, 25, of Easton, was charged by state police at Fern Ridge with driving under the influence of a controlled substance on Oct. 14, 2016.
It was his second DUI.
Matika sentenced him to 30 days in jail, followed by 59 months on house arrest, with 60 days on electronic monitoring.
He also ordered Lieberman to perform 100 hours of community service, fined him $1,500, complete outpatient treatment and Alcohol Highway Safety School. Lieberman’s license was suspended for 18 months.
Matika issued bench warrants for Joshua J. Albani, 38, of Jim Thorpe; Lori Fatzinger, 53, of Palmerton; Edward L. Rivera Jr., 31, of Minersville, all of whom failed to appear for sentencing.
