A Tamaqua woman is headed to state prison after being sentenced Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court for possessing drugs and paraphernalia in May 2014 at her residence.
Kelly M. Dalessio, 39, and her family wept as Judge Jacqueline L. Russell sentenced her to serve three to six years in a state correctional institution.
“There is no question there was drug activity going on inside the house,” Russell said before imposing the sentence, which also requires Dalessio to pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $635.95 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, undergo mental health and drug and alcohol evaluations, and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. “Buy money was in the defendant’s possession.”
Russell rejected Dalessio’s request to remain free on bail pending an appeal of her conviction, and the defendant left the courtroom in handcuffs.
In a one-day nonjury trial on Feb. 5, Russell found Dalessio guilty of one count each of conspiracy, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and two of possession of a controlled substance, while finding her not guilty of a third count of possession of a controlled substance.
Tamaqua police charged Dalessio with possessing cocaine and a prescription drug, plus paraphernalia, on May 1, 2014, at her 308 Washington St. residence.
Also on Wednesday, Christopher Wood, 34, of Minersville, pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom, for violating a protection from abuse order.
Senior Judge D. Michael Stine accepted the plea and sentenced Wood to serve 20 days in prison and pay costs and a $300 fine.
State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Wood with violating the order by making telephone calls to the victim on March 24.
“No contact means no contact, directly or indirectly,” Stine told Wood. “Don’t have another violation.”
In other criminal court action, a Pottsville man returned to prison Thursday after being sentenced in Schuylkill County Court for retail theft.
Todd A. Generella, 45, left the courtroom in handcuffs after Judge John E. Domalakes sentenced him to serve nine to 18 months in prison and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
Domalakes imposed the sentence after revoking Generella’s probation, which the defendant admitted violating by failing to report to his supervising officer, moving without permission, committing another crime, possessing drug paraphernalia, using drugs and not making payments on his costs and fees.
“Do you have a substance abuse problem?” Domalakes asked Generella.
“Yes, your honor,” said Generella, who identified marijuana and methamphetamines as his drugs of choice.
“If you don’t get the drug and alcohol treatment ... you’re going to be back here,” Domalakes warned him.
Generella originally pleaded guilty on June 17, 2015, to retail theft. At that time, Domalakes placed him on probation for 12 months, and also sentenced him to pay costs and $50 to the CJEA, each of which the defendant still must pay under the terms of Thursday’s sentence.
Pottsville police charged Generella with committing the theft on Dec. 24, 2013, in the city.
In more recent county court action, Domalakes accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
Michael P. O’Brien Jr., 32, of Pottsville; driving under the influence and failure to yield; 15 days house arrest with electronic monitoring, 45 days strict supervision, four months probation, $1,025 in fines, $300 payment to the SAEF, $460 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 10 hours community service.
Richard A. Olt Jr., 22, of Pine Grove; DUI, failure to drive at a safe speed and disregarding traffic lane; 48 hours to six months in prison, $550 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 10 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of careless driving, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility and violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages.
Robert E. Reagan Jr., 21, of Allentown; prohibited possession of offensive weapon, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; time served to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, $100 SAEF payment, $236.10 bench warrant fee and $202 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
Alexander N. Riotto, 34, of Tamaqua; two counts each of terroristic threats and simple assault; 23 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and no contact with the victim. Prosecutors withdrew two counts each of harassment and disorderly conduct and one each of attempted criminal trespass and open lewdness.
Drew A. Strohl, 55, of Coaldale; DUI; 15 days house arrest, 45 days strict supervision, four months probation, $1,000 fine, $300 SAEF payment, $460 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 10 hours community service, with sentence effective on Wednesday. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of disregarding traffic lane.
Bradley L. Sunday, 59, of Pottsville; DUI; 25 days house arrest, 35 days strict supervision, four months probation, $300 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 20 hours community service, with sentence effective on Wednesday. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of careless driving.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.