Tamaqua District court — drug cases

A number of defendants faced drug-related charges for their preliminary hearings scheduled Aug. 7 before District Magisterial Judge Stephen Bayer, of Tamaqua. All but one elected to waive those hearings directly to the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.

Kenneth Rosario, 18, of Scranton, was charged with felony counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of children, along with misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and corruption of minors. The charges were filed by Rush Township patrolman Ryan Oldt in connection with an Aug. 1 incident.

Rosario is lodged in the Schuylkill County prison, Pottsville, in lieu of $50,000 percentage bail.

John Jeffries, 59, of Barnesville, faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, careless driving and failure to keep right, filed by patrolman Oldt. A charge of reckless driving was withdrawn. The charges stem from a May 2 traffic stop.

Jeffries was released on his own recognizance.

Audalis Diaz, 23, of Paterson, New Jersey, is charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, having improper suncreening and failure to obey the restrictions on alcohol. A charge of driving with a suspended license was withdrawn by arresting patrolman Steven Torres of the McAdoo Police. The charges were filed after a May 19 incident.

Diaz was released on his own recognizance.

Christina Petrosky, 49, of Tamaqua, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana by Rush Township patrolman Oldt. The charges are from a June 11 incident.

Petrosky was released on her own recognizance.

Michael Jacob Merenda, 33, of McAdoo, failed to appear for his preliminary hearing. He was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to obey a traffic control device and driving with a DUI suspended license. The charges stem from a May 26 incident and were field by McAdoo patrolman Steven Torres.

A warrant was issued for his arrest.