Palmerton man pleads to theft counts; other pleas are entered

A Palmerton man pleaded guilty to theft and related counts in three pending criminal cases on Thursday in Carbon County court. He was one of several defendants in pending cases to enter a plea before Judge David W. Addy.

Several victims

Robert Harrison Bunch, 25, pleaded guilty to three counts of theft, two each of receiving stolen property and criminal mischief, and one each of forgery and criminal trespass.

Bunch, who was originally charged with burglary, was charged with entering at least three separate residences in Towamensing Township on or about March 18, 2008, and other thefts on Jan. 31, 2008, in Towamensing Township, and Feb. 16, 2008, in Franklin Township.

Addy accepted the pleas but deferred sentencing ordering the adult probation office to prepare a presentence investigation (PSI) report.

Other pleas

Other defendants who entered guilty pleas included:

Thomas Albright, 20, of White Haven, pleaded to criminal mischief. He was arrested on Aug. 30, 2008, by Weatherly police for an incident at 200 Carbon St. where he caused damages by spray painting the office of Disrtrict Judge Joseph D. Homanko Sr.

Addy placed Albright on probation for a year and ordered he make restitution for damages totaling $2,200, obtain and maintain full time employment and render three hours of community service per month while on probation.

Timothy Arner, 44, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance-cocaine. He was arrested on Aug. 13 by state police after making a sale to a confidential informant (CI) in Palmerton.

Addy deferred sentencing.

Christian Bennett, 19, of Weatherly, pleaded to one count of theft from a motor vehicle. He was arrested on May 23 by Weatherly police for an incident on Main St. in which Daniel Shields is the listed victim.

Addy placed him on probation for a year and ordered he make restitution of $27 to the victim and render 30 hours of community service.

Samuel Paul Frame, 30, of Emerald, pleaded to one count of driving under the influence (DUI). He was arrested on April 25 by state police along SR895 in East Penn Township. Given a test, the result was .28BAC.

Addy deferred sentencing to a later date so that restitution can be determined.

Thomas John Hayward Jr., 27, of Wilkes-Barre, pleaded to one count each of DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia and three motor vehicle code violations. He was arrested on July 15 along the Northeast Extension of the turnpike in Kidder Township by state police. The DUI count is for a controlled substance.

Addy deferred sentencing to see if Hayward qualifies for the Intermediate Punishment Program (IPP).

Joseph John Ichart, 44, of Raleigh, N.C., pleaded to one count of possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance-cocaine. He was arrested on March 27, 2007, by state police following a vehicle stop along Interstate 80 in Kidder Township. The police report indicates 26.7 grams of cocaine and 77 grams of marijuana were found in the vehicle.

Addy deferred sentencing and ordered a PSI.

Larry D. Lineszy, 31, of West Hazleton, pleaded to one count of DUI. He was arrested on July 4 along Broad St., in Beaver Meadows. Given a test, the result was .10BAC.

Addy deferred sentencing to a later date.

Carl Loyd Miller, 56, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of DUI. He was arrested on July 25 by state police along Forest Inn Road in Lower Towamensing Township. Given a test, the result was .23BAC.

Addy deferred sentencing to a later date.

Shane Anthony Serfass, 29, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count of harassment. He was arrested on June 28 by state police for an incident termed domestic in nature and involving Tracy Serfass as the victim and occurring at his residence in Lower Towamensing Township.

Addy ordered he pay court costs.

All defendants sentenced must pay a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.