Carbon County court – domestic incidents

Two defendants charged as the result of domestic incidents, entered guilty pleas in Carbon County court on Monday before Judge Steven R. Serfass and both were given prison terms.

Penn Forest

Paul Trifilo, 51, of Hadley, New York, pleaded to one count of harassment, as a misdemeanor, with a charge of terroristic threats dropped in a plea bargain with the district attorney’s office.

On May 1, state police at Fern Ridge were dispatched to the Kidder Township police station. At the station, the female victim told troopers her ex-boyfriend, Trifilo, sent threatening emails to her. Police said a total of 62 emails were made. At the time Trifilo had a no-contact order in place against him in New York state. Trifilo, who is currently in the county prison, told Serfass he is on parole in New York state until 2020 for violating a protection order.

Police said the victim moved to Carbon County after receiving notice from the New York Department of Corrections and Community Supervision advising that Trifilo was paroled and is currently wanted for skipping his parole meeting.

One of the emails from Trifilo stated: “This only ends with the death of one of us. I will not take any more plea deals regarding these charges. This means that every time you call the police you will be asked to testify at jury trial. If you can’t or won’t testify my charges are immediately dismissed. If you do testify, I or my counsel will destroy whatever ivory tower you now inhabit. Guilty or not, upon my release the game begins again, ad infinitum, until the death of one of us ...”

The victim told troopers at the time of the report that due to these messages she has had to leave her primary residence and hide at a friend’s house.

Serfass sentenced him to serve two to one day less six months in prison, consecutive to his current sentence. He was also ordered not to have any contact with the victim and when paroled render 25 hours of community service. He was given 23 days credit for time already served.

Jim Thorpe incident

Jerry Brant, 40, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of persistent disorderly conduct. In exchange for the plea charges of simple assault, harassment and public drunkenness were dropped by the DA.

Brant was arrested on Sept. 30 when Jim Thorpe police responded to the area of West Fourth Street, for a domestic assault incident. On scene officers spoke with the female victim, who was identified as Brant’s girlfriend, who said he had assaulted her. Police noted the female had scratches on her consistent with her claims of assault.

It was noted the victim currently has an active protection from abuse ordered against Brant, who is an inmate in the county prison on the charge.

Serfass sentenced him to time-served (35 days) to 12 months in prison and ordered he have no contact with the victim and render 50 hours of community service.

Both defendants must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole and probation.