James R. Ferrier
ORWIGSBURG — Eight people arrested in April as the result of the break-up of what authorities called a major drug ring are headed to Schuylkill County Court after each went before a judge on May 5.
Four defendants, Chad Bainbridge, 39, of 184 Thomaston Road, Pottsville; David J. Botek, 36, of 1121 N. George St. Apt. 1, Pottsville; Brett L. Heinbach, 23, of 237 Mexico Road, Pine Grove; and Wayne T. Lenosky, 35, of 2156 W. Norwegian St., Pottssville, waived the right to a preliminary hearing. In each case, Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound over all charges for court.
The other four defendants, Terry L. Dewitt, 53, of 404 E. Main St., Schuylkill Haven; Samantha J. Digilio, 24, of 240 W. Howard Ave., Coaldale; Scott T. Haberstroh, 46, of 75 W. Meadow St., Tremont; and Jonathan M. Spiess, 36, of 902 Summer Hill Road, Auburn, had all charges against each of them held for court by Ferrier after a preliminary hearing.
Bainbridge is charged with three counts each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance and one each of corrupt organizations and conspiracy. He is in prison in lieu of $20,000 percentage bail.
Botek is charged with eight counts each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance, six of conspiracy and one of corrupt organizations. He is free on $50,000 percentage bail.
Heinbach is charged with nine counts of possession of weapons of mass destruction, four of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, three each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance and one each of corrupt organizations and conspiracy. He is in prison in lieu of $300,000 percentage bail.
Lenosky is charged with two counts each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance and one each of corrupt organizations and conspiracy. He is free on $50,000 unsecured bail.
Dewitt is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance. He is in prison in lieu of $10,000 straight cash bail.
Digilio is charged with one count of possession of a controlled substance. She is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Haberstroh is charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance. He is free on $10,000 unsecured bail.
Spiess is charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance, two each of dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and criminal use of a communication facility and one each of corrupt organizations and conspiracy. He is free on $50,000 unsecured bail.
State police at Reading have alleged each defendant was part of the ring that trafficked in methamphetamine that was imported from California.
Also in district court, a Schuylkill Haven man is headed to Schuylkill County Court after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday on charges stemming from his alleged participation in a January theft from a store in Cressona Mall in North Manheim Township.
Shawn M. McNulty, 23, of 182 S. Front St., faces charges of conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property. Magisterial District Judge James R. Ferrier bound those charges over for court after McNulty waived his right to the hearing.
Prosecutors withdrew three additional counts of conspriacy and one count of burglary.
State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged McNulty stole more than $14,000 worth of items from Sam’s Place Lottery and Tobacco between 1:49 a.m. and 2:04 a.m. Jan. 23.
Police said McNulty helped take $7,700 worth of Pennsylvania Lottery tickets, $6,400 worth of cigarettes and $500 worth of video equipment.
One of McNulty’s allege co-conspirators identified him as involved in the incident, police said. Furthermore, McNulty cashed one of the stolen lottery tickets at the Cressona Mobil gasoline station, according to police.
McNulty is free on $25,000 unsecured bail pending further court action.
Other defendants whose cases Ferrier considered on Tuesday, the charges against them and the judge’s dispositions of the matters included:
Shyann N. Boyer, 21, of 117 W. Columbia St., Schuylkill Haven; two counts each of conspiracy and corruption of minors; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.
Michael P. Brennan, 47, of 230 N. Berne St., Schuylkill Haven; two counts each of possession of a controlled substance and one each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a small amount of marijuana.
Michael J. Breslin, 54, of 1654 W. Norwegian St., Pottsville; simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.
Ruth Ann Casper, 52, of 208 Dock St. Apt. 6, Schuylkill Haven; simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.
Jill M. Lick, 53, of 66 Avenue C, Schuylkill Haven; driving under the influence; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.
Gerald D. Lightcap, 46, of 36 W. Adamsdale Road, Schuylkill Haven; simple assault and harassment; right to preliminary hearing waived, charges bound over for court.
Laurie A. Miller, 51, of 534 N. Centre St. Apt. 4, Pottsville; DUI; right to preliminary hearing waived, charge bound over for court.
Anthony J. Kilker
SHENANDOAH — A 27-year-old Schuylkill Haven charged by West Mahanoy Township Police after an incident at 72 Raven Run Road on June 21 waived her right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker.
Danielle Townsend, 330 Dock St. was arrested by Patrolman John Kaczmarczyk III and charged with endangering the welfare of children, recklessly endangering another person, DUI-controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to keep right, driving at an unsafe speed, disregard for single traffic lane and restraint system violations-booster seats.
By waiving her right to a hearing, Townsend will now have to answer to all of the charges against her in Schuylkill County Court.
Kaczmarczyk said he was called to the area of 72 Raven Run Road for a report of a crash and found Townsend under the influence and two girls inside her vehicle — one age 6 and the other age 5 — at the time.
The investigation determined that Townsend was driving, went off of the road and struck several small trees, Kaczmarczyk said, adding that a subsequent blood test revealed the woman had controlled substances in her system. In addition, Townsend was found to be in possession of marijuana at the the time of the crash, the officer said.
Other court cases included:
Nelson E. Febo Pabon, 33, of 214 N. Gilbert St., Shenandoah; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, notice of change of name or address, failure to notify of change of address and driving an unregistered vehicle.
Alexis C. Nevandomsky, 20, of 185 Fourth St., Box 15, Oneida; withdrawn: possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Nicholas A. Degel, 23, of 1 Ridge Lane, Box 109, Gordon; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving a vehicle with a suspended registration, not surrendering registration plates and cards on suspension, driving an unregistered vehicle and driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked.
Joseph Polaconis, 28, of 1149 W. Lloyd St., Shenandoah; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Christopher M. Reed, 28, of 2 Grier Ave., Barnesville; Withdrawn: robbery. Waived for court: burglary, criminal trespass, theft, receiving stolen property, simple assault and disorderly conduct.
Vicki Lynn Beury, 46, of 121 W. Pine St., Mahanoy City; withdrawn: DUI-controlled substance. Waived for court: DUI, driving while operating privileges are suspended or revoked, careless driving and disregard for single traffic lane.
Robert A. Sekula Jr., 36, of 208 W. Poplar St., Shenandoah; withdrawn by the officer ad moved to summary charges: possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and sound level volume violations.