Carbon County court — ARD

A New York state couple who were charged with stealing gas service at a residence in Jim Thorpe, were placed in Carbon County’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Disposition probation program on Monday by Judge Steven R. Serfass.

They were among a total of 15 first-time offenders in the criminal justice system placed in the program.

If a person successfully completes all conditions of the program, their record will be wiped clean. However, if they fail to complete it, or are revoked from it, then they would face trial on all pending charges. A person does not admit guilt in entering the program.

All were placed for a year, unless otherwise noted.

Gas theft

Denise M. Rossano, 54, and Jerry Rossano, 55, of Selden, were placed for two years each on charges of theft of services. They were charged by Jim Thorpe police with altering a gas meter belonging to UGI Company at 24 W. Broadway to get free service.

Both were assessed $450 for the cost of the program and ordered to each make restitution to the victim of $5,944.44 (total of $11,888.88) and each render 100 hours of community service.

Other cases

William M. Archipoli Jr., 25, of Staten Island, New York, was placed on a driving under the influence charge. He was arrested on Sept. 21, 2017, along Route 903 in Penn Forest Township by state police at Fern Ridge. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.

He was assessed $600 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.

Ronald Betz, 63, of Palmerton, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Dec. 2, 2017, by Palmerton police along Franklin Avenue. He refused a test.

He was assessed $600 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.

Shaun Billett, 39, of Lehighton, was placed on a charge of unsworn falsification to authorities. He was arrested on Nov. 1, 2017, by Lehighton police for an incident in the 100 block of South Third Street.

He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.

Nicole Collier Dick, 34, of Lehighton, was placed on a bad checks charge. She was charged by Lehighton police for an incident in which a check was presented to the borough that was returned.

She was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and make restitution to the borough for $220.

Kristen Colette Gardner, 26, of Summit Hill, was placed on a DUI charge. She was arrested on Oct. 14, 2017, along Route 443 by Lehighton police. A test revealed a 0.20 BAC.

She was assessed $550 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and her license was suspended for 60 days.

Brian Gombert, 38, of Lehighton, was placed for two years on a charge of strangulation — applying pressure to throat or neck. He was arrested by Lehighton police on Nov. 15, 2017, involving a female victim in the 300 block of North First Street.

He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 100 hours of community service.

Anna Marie Hartzell, 51, of Lehighton, was placed for two years on an aggravated assault charge. She was arrested by Lehighton police for an incident on June 12, 2017, in the 300 block of North East Alley with a male victim. The police report indicates a knife was used in the alleged assault.

She was assessed $650 and ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, render 100 hours of community service and make restitution to the victim for $2,389.50.

Michael John Joyce Jr., 37, of Palmerton, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on March 12, 2017, by Palmerton police along Route 248. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.

He was assessed $600 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.

Tadeusz Konopka, 68, of Jim Thorpe, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Feb. 12, 2017, by state police at Lehighton along Behrens Road in Penn Forest Township. A test revealed a 0.25 BAC.

He was assessed $650 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license was suspended for 60 days.

Lynde Elizabeth Kuntz, 19, of Lehighton, was placed on a DUI charge. She was arrested on Sept. 23, 2017, along Route 248 in Franklin Township by state police at Lehighton. A test revealed the presence of a controlled substance.

She was assessed $600 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and her license was suspended for 90 days.

Christian Tyler Okeefe, 19, of Kunkletown, was placed on charge of prohibitive offensive weapon charge. He was arrested on April 8, 2017, by rangers at Beltzville State Park in Towamensing Township.

He was assessed $450 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service and get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment.

Shatina Dyvonne Suarez, 40, of Philadelphia, was placed on a charge of false identification to law enforcement. She was arrested on July 5, 2017, by Lehighton police following a vehicle stop along Route 443.

She was assessed $650 and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.

Joseph M. Turoscy, 54, of Palmerton, was placed on a DUI charge. He was arrested on Sept. 15, 2017, along Third Street in Lehighton by state police at Lehighton. A test revealed a 0.24 BAC.

He was assessed $550, ordered to render 50 hours of community service and his license suspended for 60 days.

Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000, pay a $50 per month supervision fee while in the program and those charged with DUI, must follow any recommendation of their drug and alcohol evaluation.