District court, May 31, 2021

Frank Andruscavage, Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
·6 min read

May 31—Stephen J. Bayer

TAMAQUA — A Lehighton woman arrested by Rush Township police for a theft that occurred at the Walmart store between Feb. 27 and March 5 waived her right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Stephen J. Bayer.

Sara Ann Mertz, 44, of 110 E. Second St., was arrested by Patrolman Derek Weicikosky and charged with one count each of forgery, theft and receiving stolen property.

By waiving her right to a hearing, Mertz will now have to answer to all three charges in Schuylkill County Court, where she can plead guilty or plead not guilty and request a trial.

Weicikosky said that on Feb. 27, Mertz went to the store and cashed a check made out to "petty cash" in the amount of $596.01 before meeting with a man and purchasing merchandise valued at $153.07.

The investigation determined that Franklin Township police charged the woman with stealing people's mail and cashing their checks, Weicikosky said.

Other court cases included:

Ronald J. Riffon Jr., 53, of 281 North St., Box 128, Kelayres; held for court: possessing instruments of crime and recklessly endangering another person.

Bonnie Lee McDermott, 27, of 83 Mountain View Drive, Jim Thorpe; held for court: possession of drug paraphernalia.

Marie L. Miranda, 32, of 3255 Randall Ave., Apt./Suite 4J, Bronx, New York; held for court: possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving an unregistered vehicle.

Louis J. Cichon, 54, of 1045 Ryan Circle, Ardsley; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Christopher D. Shumway, 47, of 535 N. Sixth St., Lehighton; waived for court: strangulation, simple assault and harassment.

Ian C. Hamilton, 38, of 1017 Butler St., Easton; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance, accidents involving damage to unattended vehicles or property, failure to give notice to police of an accident with damage to a vehicle, reckless driving, careless driving, driving at an unsafe speed, prohibiting text-based communications, notice of change of name or address, DUI and DUI-high rate.

Travis F. Huegel, 43, of 322 Hazle St., Tamaqua; waived for court: DUI-controlled substance.

Thomas H. Xavios

FRACKVILLE — An Ashland area man charged by Butler Township police for failing to register with the state police under Megan's Law between Jan. 3 and Feb. 25 had a felony charge against him dismissed by Magisterial District Judge Thomas H. Xavios.

Jeffrey S. Miller, 50, who listed his address as 154 County Club Road, was arrested by Butler Township police Sgt. Eric Vinskie and charged with one felony count of failure to provide accurate registration information.

Vinskie said he was contacted by the state police who said that Miller provided the 154 Country Club Road address, but they had reason to believe he was not living there.

A subsequent investigation resulted in determining the telephone number the man gave was disconnected and that residents of 154 Country Club Road as well as the property owner reported Miller was "kicked out" in December.

It was later determined that Miller was committed to the Northumberland County Prison between Jan. 22 and Feb. 11 and provided prison officials with an address of 27 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg.

Other court cases included:

Daniel D. Quinn, 42, of Schuylkill County Prison, Pottsville; waived for court: possession of a firearm prohibited, receiving stolen property, firearms not to be carried without a license, possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Zachary A. Lau, 20, of 312 S. Balliet St., Frackville; waived for court: retail theft.

Constance E. Delowery, 56, of 195 E. Main St., Ringtown; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.

Randall A. Tyson, 76, of 1315 Main St., Gilberton; waived for court: DUI, DUI-high rate, illegally operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock and moving a vehicle unsafely.

William J. Weikel, 60, of 45 S. Mahanoy Ave., Apt. 1, Frackville; dismissed: theft and receiving stolen property.

Zachary T. Cyr, 28, of 645 Fifth St., Port Carbon; waived for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.

Joseph J. Eye Jr., 44, of 251 Preston Ave., Girardville; withdrawn: careless driving and disregard for single traffic lane. Waived for court: DUI-controlled substance.

George P. Mitchell, 39, of 363 Preston Ave., Girardville; waived for court: possession of a small amount of marijuana.

Troy L. Payne, 44, of Box 482, Frackville; withdrawn: strangulation, simple assault, harassment and recklessly endangering another person.

Nancy Rivera, 19, of 116 S. Nice St., Apt. 2, Frackville; withdrawn: endangering the welfare of children.

Eric A. Miernicki, 20, of 116 S. Nice St., Frackville; withdrawn: endangering the welfare of children.

Anthony J. Kilker

SHENANDOAH — A man charged with threatening to burn down the house he lived in at 228 N. West St. in Shenandoah on April 1 waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Anthony J. Kilker, Shenandoah.

Michael Teaschenko, 44, was arrested by state police Trooper John Davis of the Frackville station and charged with terroristic threats, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.

By waiving his right to a hearing, Teaschenko will have to answer to all three charges in Schuylkill County Court, where he can plead guilty or enter a not guilty plea and request a trial.

Police said they went to the home to serve a protection from abuse order violation warrant and met Teaschenko who began yelling and when told to come outside, slammed the door in their faces.

Contact was made with Teaschenko by telephone, at which time he said he was not going to jail, had a can of gasoline and would burn the house down. Police said they forced their way into the house and found a realistic BB gun on a couch where Teaschenko was and that was when they tried to take him into custody, which he then resisted.

Other court cases included:

Kelsey Ann Anderson, 28, of 35 W. Spruce St., Mahanoy City: guilty plea entered: possession of drug paraphernalia, public drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

Crystal A. Wentworth, 35, of 304 W. Cherry St., Shenandoah; held for court: possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Robert F. Montgomery, 61, of 217 E. Pine St., Mahanoy City; waived for court: failure to register with state police, receiving stolen property, retail theft and public drunkenness.

Takiem Foat, 29, of 220 E. Lloyd St., Shenandoah; held for court: possession with intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Lisa A. Meleski, 40, of 839 W. Coal St., Shenandoah; held for court: DUI, DUI-high rate, careless driving, disregard for single traffic lane and failure to keep right.

Deborah Hettrick, 60, of 617 W. Pine St., Mahanoy City; dismissed: aggravated assault, simple assault and possessing instruments of crime.

Richard R. J. Buhl, 27, of 639 W. South St., Mahanoy City; waived for court: fraudulent, altered, forged or counterfeit title, registration or insurance and displaying known fictitious, stolen or issued for inspection.

Luis Hernandez, no age or address available; held for court: criminal attempt to commit criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.

(Staff writer Frank Andruscavage compiled this report)