Thirty-four people received a second chance from the judicial system Thursday in Schuylkill County Court, as they entered a special program that will allow them to have their criminal records eliminated if they successfully complete it.
The Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program is for first-time offenders whom authorities do not believe will have another encounter with the criminal justice system.
All those who successfully complete the program will have charges against them dismissed and can petition the court to have their records expunged. Successful completion of the program includes compliance with directives from the court and the county Adult Probation and Parole Office, payment of all costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and performance of community service.
However, anyone who does not successfully complete the program will be removed from it and have his or her case placed back on the trial list.
Those admitted into the program by President Judge William E. Baldwin, and the charges against them, include:
Steven F. Ackerman, 44, of Jim Thorpe; fraudulent or altered documents and improper possession of documents.
John M. Cavenas, 48, of Mahanoy City; theft, receiving stolen property, criminal mischief and defiant trespass. Cavenas also may not have contact with his victim.
Douglas Cole Jr., 19, of Pine Grove; possession of drug paraphernalia.
Vincent C. Demarco, 23, of Pottsville; fleeing or eluding police.
Dylan A. Detweiler, 20, of Schuylkill Haven; disseminating explicit sexual material and corruption of minors. Detweiler also may not have contact with his victim.
Haley M. Estok, 22, of Pine Grove; driving under the influence.
John P. Gallagher, 52, of Columbia, South Carolina; simple assault.
Emma J. Gaydos, 61, of Saint Clair; two counts of possession of a controlled substance and one each of conspiracy and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Dennis S. Hewes, 59, of Mount Carbon; two counts of disorderly conduct.
Jeana L. Houser, 51, of Auburn; theft of lost property and receiving stolen property.
Michael J. Hudock, 27, of Pine Grove; DUI.
Jared M. Kiefer, 24, of Hegins; two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Justin Lewis, 36, of Pottsville; defiant trespass and possession of drug paraphernalia.
James R. Lockwood, 30, of Fortville, Indiana; possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Cindy Lopez, 33, of Lansford; receiving stolen property and bad checks.
Jake A. Love, 21, of Tamaqua; DUI.
Anthony R. Munson, 25, of Miami, Florida; accident involving death or personal injury and accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property.
Vincent R. Petrozino, 21, of Saint Clair; DUI
Jasmine Phifer, 23, of Schuylkill Haven; theft.
Krystal L. Pokrop, 34, of Pottsville; DUI.
Joleen M. Price, 20, of Mahanoy City; retail theft and receiving stolen property.
Shannon M. Pucci, 31, of Pottsville; two counts of accident involving death or injury.
Lisa M. Quirk, 51, of Saint Clair; retail theft.
Kyle Rabenold, 21, of Tamaqua; DUI.
John P. Reese, 32, of Ashland; DUI.
Leslie Rivera, 22, of Hazleton; possession of drug paraphernalia.
Joseph A. Rolenaitis, 22, of Middleport; possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest.
Joyce M. Schwartz, 44, of McAdoo; conspiracy and receiving stolen property.
Katarina K. Schweikert, 20, of Pottsville; three counts of possession of a controlled substance.
Michelle A. Weaver, 43, of McAdoo; DUI.
William F. Wenzel, 54, of Nesquehoning; theft.
Joseph D. Wercinski, 52, of Cocoa Beach, Florida; DUI.
Michael A. Yates, 34, of Freeland; possession of drug paraphernalia.
Dennis A. Zimmerman, 64, of Ringtown; endangering the welfare of children.