January criminal court term ends in Schuylkill County Court

Jan. 30—POTTSVILLE — Cases against several individuals were heard during the recent criminal court term that began Jan. 16 and concluded Friday in Schuylkill County Court.

Among them was for Jonathan Kramer, 43, of Pine Grove, who was charged by Pine Grove police Patrolman Mark Vandermartin with attacking a woman inside his 507 Pine Hill Drive home on Oct. 4, 2021.

Kramer was found guilty of misdemeanor charges of terroristic threats, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, and a summary charge of harassment. He was found not guilty of a felony charge of aggravated assault, while an additional charge of felony aggravated assault was withdrawn.

Assistant District Attorney Shelby G. Hostetter prosecuted the case, while Kramer was represented by attorney Eric J. Filer, Lehighton. Judge Christopher W. Hobbs presided over the case.

Vandermartin charged Kramer with throwing Melissa Beck against a wall, then holding her down and punching her in the face. Vandermartin said Kramer also threw a kitchen knife at the woman.

Other case verdicts were:

—Heidi Ann Dower, 40, of Mahanoy City: not guilty of misdemeanor simple assault and guilty of summary harassment. Assistant District Attorney David Noon prosecuted the case, while Dower was represented by Assistant Public Defender Ashley M. Sabol. Senior Judge Jacqueline L. Russell presided over the case.

The original charges against Dower were filed by Saint Clair Police Chief William Dempsey.

—Robert F. Seigel, 58, of Shenandoah: not guilty of felony theft and receiving stolen property. Seigel was represented by Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, while Deputy District Attorney Jennifer N. Foose prosecuted the case. Judge Charles M. Miller presided.

The original charges were filed by Shenandoah police Patrolman Angel Abreu.

—Christopher R. Yerger, 59, of Orwigsburg: not guilty to felony aggravated assault, misdemeanor simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, and summary harassment. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Julie D. Werdt, while Yerger was represented by attorney James L. Heidecker Jr., Allentown. Hobbs presided over the case.

The original charges against Yerger were filed by Orwigsburg police Patrolman Tanner Noecker.

—David A. Kleckner, 56, of Pottsville: not guilty of three felony counts of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, one misdemeanor count each of general impairment and DUI-highest rate, and summary vehicle entering or crossing a roadway. The case, heard by Russell, was prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Bernard Anderson. Kleckner was defended by attorney James G. Conville.

The original charges against Klecker were filed by Pottsville police Patrolman Anna Flail.

—Jason T. Spears, 40, of Frackville: guilty of misdemeanor weapons or implements of escape. Assistant District Attorney Joseph A. Bahgat prosecuted the case, while Spears was represented by attorney Adam R, Weaver, Lehighton. Miller presided.

The original charge against Spears was filed by state police criminal investigator Trooper Shawn Tray of the Frackville station.

—David A. Legutko, 40, of Port Carbon: not guilty of felony possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance. Legutko was represented by Sabol, while Noon prosecuted the case before Judge Christina E. Hale.

The original charges against Legutko were filed by Saint Clair police Patrolman Vincent Bennett.

—Mark A Tutko, 65, of Frackville: guilty of misdemeanor stalking and not guilty of felony attempt to commit criminal trespass. Charges of summary harassment and public drunkenness were withdrawn by prosecutors. Tutko was represented by Watkins, while Assistant District Attorney Thomas P. Pellish prosecuted the case in front of Russell.

The original charges against Tutko were filed by Abreu.

—Jose Luis Torres, 35, of Shenandoah: guilty of felony robbery and criminal conspiracy; misdemeanor theft, receiving stolen property and simple assault; and summary harassment and criminal mischief. The case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Andrew T. Bench, while Torres was represented by Watkins. Judge James P. Goodman presided.

The original charges against Torres were filed by state police Trooper Jordan Mroczka of the Frackville station.

—Karla Mitchella Rivera, 34, of Mahanoy City: guilty pleas entered on charges of five felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, seven misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. The case was scheduled to be prosecuted by First Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Stine before Hale. Rivera was represented by attorney Jay Nigrini, Reading.

The charges against Rivera were filed by state police Trooper Russ Rothermel of the Reading station.

—Victor Bueno, 30, of Mahanoy City: guilty pleas entered to one felony count each of receiving stolen property and persons not to possess or use firearms, four felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, eight misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia. The case was scheduled to be prosecuted by Stine and heard by Hale.

Bueno was represented by Nigrini. The original charges against Bueno were filed by Rothermel.

—Maegan E. Azbell, 30, of Shenandoah: guilty pleas entered to charges of retail theft, flight to avoid apprehension and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. The case was scheduled to be prosecuted by Noon and heard by Hale. Azbell was represented by Watkins.

The charges against Azbell were filed by Shenandoah police Patrolman Leo Luciani.

—Christopher M. Terraciano, 26, of Pottsville: a felony charge of failure to verify address and be photographed was dismissed. Terraciano was represented by attorney Richard P. Coble, Philadelphia. The case before Hobbs was prosecuted by Pellish.

The charge against Terraciano was filed by Minersville police Patrolman Jeffrey Bowers.

—Giuseppe K. Gambino, 19, of Pottsville: entered into a plea agreement on a summary charge of disorderly conduct. The original charge against Gambino was misdemeanor disorderly conduct filed by Mahanoy City police Patrolman Rachael Lenar.

The case was scheduled to be heard by Goodman and prosecuted by the district attorney's office.

Gambino was represented by attorney Christine Holman, A. Tamaqua.