In recent Schuylkill County Court action, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin on Wednesday accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
William A. Griffiths, 32, of Shamokin; four counts each of access device fraud and theft by deception and one of theft; two years probation, $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Account payment and $50 bench warrant fee. Prosecutors withdrew five counts of receiving stolen property and one of criminal mischief.
Daniel C. Groves, 40, of Pottsville; prohibited possession of offensive weapon and driving under suspension; 18 months probation, $200 fine and $50 CJEA payment.
Jonathan R. Kechula, 41, of Barnesville; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of driving under suspension.
Heather A. Kessler, 30, of Mahanoy City; improper furnishing of drug-free urine; 12 months probation and $50 CJEA payment.
Kody A. Kirkland, 23, of Pottsville; retail theft; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee.
Justin Knoll, 28, of Frackville; possession of drug paraphernalia and false identification to law enforcement authorities; time served to 12 months in prison with immediate parole, $100 Substance Abuse Education Fund payment, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee.
David P. Riegel Jr., 21, of Coaldale; theft of lost property and theft; 12 months probation, $100 in CJEA payments, $500 restitution and 10 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of receiving stolen property.
John A. Sadusky Jr., 48, of Pottsville; simple assault; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee.
Karissa L. Shumgart, 26, of Tamaqua; two counts each of access device fraud, identity theft and theft of lost property and one each of theft from a motor vehicle and receiving stolen property; 23 months probation and $100 in CJEA payments.
Joseph G. Spangler, 20, of Tower City; DUI and stop sign violation; 72 hours to six months in prison, $1,025 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $400 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 10 hours community service.
Nicholas D. Weiss, 31, of Pottsville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; 23 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
Rikki J. Williams, 20, of Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee.
Randy A. Zimmerman, 56, of Pottsville; DUI, driving under suspension and improperly entering intersection; six months probation, $525 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 10 hours community service.
In other recent criminal court action, a Pottsville man will have his freedom restricted for two years after being sentenced Tuesday in Schuylkill County Court on six drug-related charges plus one traffic offense.
Keshon L. Canyon, 24, will spend two years in the intermediate punishment program under the terms of Judge John E. Domalakes’ sentence.
“Don’t get into any more trouble,” Domalakes warned Canyon.
Domalakes also sentenced Canyon to pay costs, $400 in fines, $100 to the SAEF, $50 to the CJEA, $431 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Harrisburg and $51 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.
Canyon pleaded no contest on Jan. 26 to three counts of possession of a controlled substance and one each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of a small amount of marijuana and driving under suspension. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of operating vehicle without required financial responsibility.
By pleading no contest, Canyon did not admit committing the crimes, but offered no defense to them, acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence to prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and agreed to be sentenced as if he had pleaded or been found guilty.
Shenandoah police had charged Canyon with possessing cocaine, heroin and marijuana on Oct. 15, 2013, in the borough.
“The defendant has an admitted narcotics problem,” Domalakes said.
Also on Tuesday, Domalakes sentenced Thomas J. Paris, 51, of Sheppton, to spend 23 months on probation consecutive to his current sentence, pay costs and a $50 CJEA payment, and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
“You do have an alcohol problem,” Domalakes told Paris.
Paris originally pleaded guilty on Jan. 26 to receiving stolen property. East Union Township police had charged Paris with possessing a stolen check on Jan. 19, 2015, in the township.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.