Man admits stealing from his employer
A Kunkletown area man admitted stealing from his Carbon County employer.
Bruce William Archer, 50, pleaded guilty in Carbon County court on Tuesday to a theft count and faces a prison term when sentenced. He was one of several defendants in pending cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Steven R. Serfass.
Kovatch theft
Archer admitted stealing truck lights and other items from the Kovatch Corporation in Nesquehoning over a period of time when he was an employee.
According to police, Chief Sean Smith was called to the Kovatch facility along Industrial Road by company security personnel who had information on thefts occurring at the plant and that Archer was a suspect.
Police obtained a search warrant for Archer's residence and found most of the items stored in a garage and in his truck.
Archer pleaded to one count of theft, as a felony three. In a plea bargain, other theft counts were dropped with a prison term recommended.
Serfass accepted the plea but deferred sentencing at the request of Assistant District Attorney William E. McDonald. McDonald said he wanted to check restitution figures with the Kovatch firm prior to the sentencing. Defense Atty. Paul Levy agreed a restitution figure had to be determined.
Other pleas
Other defendants who entered guilty pleas included:
John Pete Cherko, 61, of Beaver Meadows, pleaded to one count of driving under the influence (DUI). He was arrested on Feb. 17, 2008, by state police at Hazleton following a crash along Spring Hill Road in Packer Township. A blood test revealed Cherko had a .21BAC.
Serfass sentenced him to serve 30 days to six months in prison, a fine of $1,000, and a one year license suspension. He will begin the jail term on Friday, April 9, at 5 p.m. and serve the time on consecutive weekends.
Celeste Fleischmann, 41, of Albrightsville, pleaded to one count of DUI. She was arrested on July 2, 2003, along SR1003 in Kidder Township, after being involved in an accident. Given a test, the result was .16BAC.
Serfass sentenced her to time served (four days) to one day less two years in jail, a fine of $300, and one year license suspension. She must also provide three hours of community service for each month while on parole. It was noted Fleischmann was sentenced under the old drunk driving law which had called for a mandatory two days in jail.
Thomas Scott Scherer, 29, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of DUI. He was arrested on Sept. 26, 2009, along Ludlow St., in Summit Hill. Given a test, the result was .30BAC.
Serfass deferred sentencing to a later date because Scherer is undegoing medical treatment for an arm injury.
Each defendant sentenced must pay court costs and a $50 per month supervision fee.
