Five men admitted Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court that they violated protection from abuse orders, including one who did it three times in one month.
Jeffrey S. Seveland, 42, pleaded guilty to three charges of indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom.
Judge John E. Domalakes accepted his plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced Seveland to serve 12 days to six months in prison and granted him immediate parole. Domalakes also sentenced him to pay costs and a $300 fine and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
Schuylkill Haven borough police charged Seveland with violating the order on May 12, May 18 and May 19 in the borough.
“In all three cases, we had contact by electronic means,” including emails and text messages, Assistant District Attorney A.J. Serina said.
Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin had issued the order against Seveland on May 4.
Also Wednesday, Todd A. Chappell Jr., 26, of Tower City, pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt. Domalakes accepted his plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced him to spend 15 days to four months in prison with immediate parole, pay costs and a $300 fine and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged that Chappell had contact with the victim, his wife, at 2 a.m. May 30. Dauphin County Judge John F. Cherry had issued the order against Chappell on Oct. 26, 2015.
In another Wednesday case, James W. Fitzpatrick, 44, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt. Domalakes accepted his plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced Fitzpatrick to serve one day to three months in prison with immediate parole and pay costs and a $300 fine.
State police at Frackville alleged Fitzpatrick pushed and struck the victim, his wife, on May 28. Judge Jacqueline L. Russell had issued the order against Fitzpatrick on Nov. 12, 2015.
Also Wednesday, Joseph E. Kaufman, 45, of Donaldson, pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt. Domalakes accepted his plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced him to spend 15 days to three months in prison with immediate parole and pay costs and a $300 fine.
State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Kaufman with talking with the victim, his wife, at 7:30 a.m. May 31. Senior Judge D. Michael Stine had issued the order against Fitzpatrick on March 9.
In another Wednesday case, Gerald D. Lightcap Jr., 46, of Schuylkill Haven, also pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt. Domalakes accepted his plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced him to serve 23 to 90 days in prison with immediate parole and pay costs and a $300 fine.
State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged that Lightcap left a note on the victim’s car and made 32 telephone calls from April 24 through May 23.
“I did call her,” Lightcap admitted, although he said he did not call the victim 32 times.
“You were not to have any contact with her,” Domalakes reminded Lightcap.
Judge Charles M. Miller had issued the order against Lightcap on April 20.
Domalakes dismissed a charge of indirect criminal contempt against a sixth man, Patrick L. Weins, 26, of Pottsville, when the alleged victim did not appear for the hearing. Pottsville police had charged Weins with violating the order against him on Sept. 9, 2015.
In other recent 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:
Jacob A. Gilbert, 31, of Orwigsburg; simple assault; 12 months probation, $50 Criminal Justice Enhancement Account payment and $699.69 restitution.
Ryan A. Hasara, 43, of Mahanoy City; criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; 18 months probation, $100 Substance Abuse Education Fund payment, $50 CJEA payment and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
Chris A. Bournias, 35, of Hummelstown; theft; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and $178.70 bench warrant fee.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.