A Norwegian Township woman will pay costs and a fine after a Schuylkill County judge ruled Wednesday that she trespassed on her neighbor’s property to cut down plants.
Virginia M. Gross, 64, of Peach Mountain, Pottsville, is guilty of criminal trespass, Judge John E. Domalakes ruled after a hearing that lasted almost an hour.
Domalakes sentenced Gross to pay costs and a $25 fine.
State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Gross with entering the 1018 Peach Mountain Road property of James and Melissa Close and cutting down Japanese knotweed on Sept. 18, 2015.
“You could see that there was evidence of a recent shrubbery cut. She acknowledged that she had gone onto the property and removed that shrubbery,” state police Trooper Peter F. Mohn testified.
James Close testified that his deed and a survey show Gross entered onto his land.
“Are you certain that this property belongs to you?” Deputy Assistant District Attorney Robert I. Lipkin asked him.
“Yes,” James Close answered.
Gross unsuccessfully testified that she owned the section of the property she entered, a contention Domalakes rejected.
Also on Wednesday, John H. Brubaker, 48, of Schuylkill Haven, pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom, by violating a protection from abuse order.
Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted the plea and sentenced Brubaker to time served to six months in prison, pay costs and a $300 fine, and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Brubaker with violating the order on March 4. Senior Judge D. Michael Stine had entered the order against Brubaker on Sept. 2, 2015.
Also on Wednesday, Dolbin dismissed charges of indirect criminal contempt against two other men who had been charged with violating PFA orders.
Eric M. Christopher, 22, of Barnesville, violated a temporary order against him on March 11, state police at Frackville alleged. Stine had entered the order against Christopher on March 9.
Keven M. Phelan, 27, of Pottsville, violated an order against him on March 13, state police at Schuylkill Haven alleged. Dolbin had entered the order against Phelan on Oct. 7, 2015.
In other recent county court action, an East Union Township man admitted Tuesday in Schuylkill County Court that he tampered with evidence and possessed drugs and paraphernalia in April 2015.
Henry C. Polk, 55, of Sheppton, pleaded guilty to two counts each of tampering with evidence and possession of a controlled substance and one of possession of drug paraphernalia. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one each of delivery of a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility.
Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted the plea and sentenced Polk to spend 23 months on probation and pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.
East Union Township police alleged Polk committed his crimes on April 26, 2015, in the township.
In more recent Schuylkill County Court action, President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
Angelo M. Industrios, 23, of Schuylkill Haven; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia and one of possession of a controlled substance; six to 12 months in prison, one year consecutive probation, $200 in payments to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $226 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and one of delivery of a controlled substance.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences