Summit Hill man given prison term for false ID

A Summit Hill man was sentenced to a county prison term on Tuesday after pleading guilty to false reports to law enforcement officers. He was one of several defendants in pending cases to enter a guilty plea before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II.

Lansford incident

Greg M. Muffley, 26, was sentenced to serve one to 12 months in prison on the charge after Nanovic rejected the defendant's claim that he didn't want to be arrested because he had his two children in his vehicle. Muffley gave a false name to Lansford police after a vehicle stop because his license was under suspension-DUI related.

Police stopped Muffley on Aug. 16, along Springgarden Street because he had two children in his truck that were not in safety seats. Muffley said he didn't want to be arrested because of the children with him and gave the officer the name of Mark Muffley and a Lansford address.

Nanovic told Muffley he didn't believe that story and added, "I believe you were trying to avoid the suspension charge."

Nanovic also ordered him to pay costs.

He will begin the jail term on Nov. 30 at 9 a.m. and serve it on consecutive weekends.

Other pleas

Other defendants to enter guilty pleas included:

Jason Andrew Lapp, 38, of Kunkletown R.2, pleaded to one count of driving under the influence (DUI). He was arrested on April 20 along Catawissa St., in Nesquehoning. Given a test the result was .23BAC.

Nanovic sentenced Lapp to more than the mandatory minimum of 10 days because he said he was upset by the facts of the incident.

Police said Lapp was observed driving erratically and attempted to pull him over after following him for a distance. Lapp sped away. Police said they were going 80 miles-per-hour in a 40 zone and still could not catch up to Lapp. Speeds reached 90 mph when he finally pulled over, police said.

He told police at the stop he got angry after he saw police making a U-turn to follow him.

Nanovic said what Lapp did was extremely dangerous for himself, police and any other motorist who might be on the road at the time.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve 30 days to one day less two years in prison and imposed a fine of $1,000 and costs, which is $500 above the minimum, and a one year license suspension. He must also get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment.

He begins the jail term at noon on Nov. 17.

Brandon A. Krajnak, 24, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count each of possession of a offensive prohibitive weapon and possession of a controlled substance-cocaine.

He was arrested by Jim Thorpe police following a vehicle stop on July 2 along North St. A consent search was made of the vehicle and found inside was a stun gun, shanks and a baseball bat. Also found on Krajnak was cocaine.

Nanovic deferred sentencing and ordered a presentence investigation (PSI) report be prepared by the adult probation office.

Matthew A. Ellis-Skelton, 23, of Nesquehoning, pleaded to one count of simple assault. He was arrested on May 26 at his residence for assaulting his live-in girlfriend, Kaitlyn Atkinson.

Skelton told Nanovic that he was currently attending anger management counseling sessions. He also admitted that police had be called to his residence in the past for domestic disputes with Atkinson. He also said Assistant District Attorney Joseph Matika told him to get into the anger management program or he faced real problems.

Nanovic placed him on probation for 18 months and ordered him to complete the counseling sessions, get a D&A evaluation and render three hours of community service per month while under supervision.

Jessica R. Buck, 28, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of false reports. She was arrested on Dec. 3, 2008, at the Giant Market in Mahoning Township attempting to leave the store with items totaling $120.90 without paying for them. In a plea bargain the retail theft count was dropped.

Nanovic placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to get a mental health evaluation, must find fulltime employment and make restitution of $120.90 to the victim.

Matthew Scott Haydt, 22, of Kunkletown, pleaded to one count of receiving stolen property. He admitted having taken part in the theft of a newspaper vending machine belonging to the TIMES NEWS and placed at the Rite Aid store along N. First St., in Lehighton. The incident occurred on Aug. 17.

A witness observed the car in which the machine was placed and gave the information to police. The machine was later found damaged off a road in Mahoning Township. The coins were still in the machine.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve two to 18 months in jail followed by one year of probation. He was also ordered to get a D&A evaluation, make restitution of $264, and get his General Education Diploma (GED). He was given credit for 38 days spent in jail on the charge.

Michele Somacka, 44, of Palmerton, who previously pleaded guilty to a charge of DUI, was sentenced to serve 90 days to one day less two years in prison, a fine of $1,500 and costs, and one year license suspension. She was also ordered to get a D&A evaluation.

She was arrested on on may 15 along Bridge Street in Lehighton. Given a test, it revealed the presence of a controlled substance.

She will serve the first 30 days in prison beginning Nov. 9 at noon. The remaining 60 days will then be served on consecutive weekends of Friday to Sunday.

She was given credit for one day spent in jail on the charge.

All defendants must also pay a $50 per month supervision fee.