Man gets prison term for false reports

A Carbon County man was given a short prison term on Monday after admitting he gave a false report concerning a threats incident.

He was one of seven defendants in pending criminal cases to enter a guilty plea before President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II.

Carl Royer, 60, of Nesquehoning, called borough police on Nov. 5, 2018, saying he had been threatened by another man with hammer in the 300 block of West Railroad Street. After an investigation by police it was determined that the incident never happened. There was a confrontation with the man and Royer over the defendant allegedly harassing his wife, but there were no threats with a hammer.

Royer pleaded to false reports to incriminate another.

Nanovic told Royer making such a false report is a serious matter. He said it puts stress on the victim and burdens the police department investigating a false story.

Royer, it was noted, last had contact with law enforcement was 27 years ago. His defense counsel, public defender Matthew J. Mottola, asked for a probation term. Mottola noted that Royer has mental health issues for which he takes medication.

Assistant District Attorney Brian Gazo said he agreed with the court that it was a serious matter and a term of incarceration was warranted.

Nanovic sentenced him to serve 10 days to one year in jail, pay a fine of $500, get a mental health evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and have no contact with the victim.

He will begin the jail term at 9 a.m. on Friday.