Two plead guilty in trespassing, theft case on Lehigh Anthracite Coal Company property

Two Berwick men will be sentenced May 20 on charges of defiant trespass, theft, criminal mischief and related charges connected with an incident on Lehigh Anthracite Coal Company property.

Anthony J. Leming, 49, and Michal D. Powell, 52, were arrested March 14 by Coaldale Police officer James Bonner. The two were stealing electric wires from a coal company building near Third and Lehigh streets, Coaldale.

An employee saw a truck parked at the building and investigated. The two fled in the truck, driving deeper into coal company property, but were caught a short time later.

Leming entered a general plea of guilty on charges of defiant trespass/fenced, criminal conspiracy, theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief, use/possession of drug paraphernalia and intentional possession of a controlled substance by a person not registered.

Powell entered a general plea of nolo contendere on all counts, which include theft by unlawful taking, criminal mischief, defiant trespass/fence, criminal conspiracy, defiant trespass/posted and use/possession of drug paraphernalia. Powell faced similar charges of trespass and theft in 2015 and paid $35,269 restitution; that case is closed.

The court ordered a presentence investigation on each before sentencing, which is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. May 20.