Although Joshua M. Lukach must still face his biggest case, he pleaded guilty Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court to charges stemming from three other incidents in Pottsville.
Lukach, 19, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty to two counts each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia and one of theft from a motor vehicle. Prosecutors withdrew charges of defiant trespass, public drunkenness, conspiracy and receiving stolen property.
Judge Jacqueline L. Russell accepted Lukach’s plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced Lukach to serve two to 23 months in prison and pay costs, $200 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.
Pottsville police filed all three sets of charges against Lukach.
In the two drug-related cases, they alleged Lukach possessed synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia on June 26, 2015, and again on July 15, 2015.
In the other case, they alleged Lukach committed the theft on Aug. 3, 2015.
Lukach already sits in prison awaiting trial in connection with the death of John Brock, Pottsville.
Pottsville police alleged that in the early morning hours of Aug. 6, 2015, Lukach and Shavinskin N. Thomas entered Brock’s 14 S. 12th St. home, fatally stabbed him with a knife and a box cutter and took his debit card, which they used at an ATM later that day in the city. Brock was the owner of the now-closed Pottsville Bike and Board Shop, 125 W. Market St.
Lukach and Thomas, 22, of Pottsville, each are charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, conspiracy, robbery, burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, access device fraud, recklessly endangering another person, possessing instruments of crime and two counts of aggravated assault. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for each man.
Russell also is presiding over the homicide cases against Lukach and Thomas.