Tamaqua Magistrate Court

A number of people waived their right to a preliminary hearing before District Magisterial Judge Stephen Bayer, of Tamaqua, the week before Christmas. For three of the defendants that resulted in them being returned to the Schuylkill County prison in Pottsville in lieu of bail.

Joshua Robert McArdle, 26, of Arlington Street, Tamaqua, waived multiple charges related to a domestic incident on Oct. 18, 2017. On that day, McArdle allegedly threatened family members with a steak knife after throwing a butcher knife in their direction. He was charged with three counts each of aggravated assault and reckless endangerment, six counts of simple assault, and one count each of making terroristic threats and criminal mischief. Tamaqua patrolman Karl Harig is the arresting officer.

McArdle was returned to the jail, unable to post the required $25,000 straight cash bond.

Raymond Edward Bolling, 42, of Holly Lynn Drive, Hazle Township, waived a hearing on charges of robbery, criminal attempt to commit theft and making terroristic threats. He was charged by Frackville State Police after a Nov. 6 robbery.

He was returned to the Luzerne County Prison, with bail set at $100,000 cash, which he was unable to post.

Melissa Robinson, 36, of Broad Street, Ashland, waived a hearing on charges of retail theft, filed by Tamaqua patrolman Anthony Stanell. Robinson was charged in connection with the theft of several items stolen from Tamaqua’s Family Dollar Store on Sept. 19.

She was unable to post 10 percent of the $10,000 bail imposed by the judge and was lodged in the Schuylkill County Prison.

Earl Francis Hartranft, 39, of Lincoln Street, Tamaqua, waived his hearing on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges were filed by Tamaqua patrolman Thomas Rodgers in connection with a Nov. 1 incident.

Hartranft was released on his own recognizance.

Richard Douglas George, 33, of South Lehigh Street, Tamaqua, waived charges of making terroristic threats, simple assault and disorderly conduct, which were filed by Tamaqua patrolman Harig. George was cited for a Dec. 13 incident.

He was released on $20,000 unsecured bail.

Deborah A. Gulash, 48, of South Kennedy Drive, McAdoo, waived a hearing on charges of arson, risking a catastrophe and reckless endangerment. The charges were filed by McAdoo patrolman Frederick Lahovski in connection with a Sept. 3 fire.

Gulash was released on $10,000 unsecured bail.

Gino Michael Fedullo, 21, of Lattimer Road, Hazle Township, faces charges of driving under the influence of a controlled substance (three counts), possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without rear lights. He waived the charges to county court. He was cited by McAdoo patrolman William Curilla after a Sept. 13 traffic stop.

Fedullo was released on his own recognizance.

David M. Ballick, 48, of Fourth Street, Kelayres, waived a hearing on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol (two counts), driving with a noncompliant exhaust and driving unsafe equipment. The charges were filed by McAdoo patrolman Curilla after an Aug. 26 traffic stop.

Ballick was released on his own recognizance.

Ajay Singh, 43, of Windswept Road, Breinigsville, waived a hearing on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol and under the influence of a controlled substance (six counts total) and driving with an obstructed window. he was charged by McAdoo patrolman Esmerlyn Francisco after a May 27 traffic stop.

Singh was released on his own recognizance.