Instead of taking his case to trial, a Pottsville man admitted Monday in Schuylkill County Court that he was driving under the influence in May in the city.
Ryan P. Miller, 25, pleaded guilty to DUI, failure to drive on roadways laned for traffic and no rear lights, with prosecutors withdrawing charges of disorderly conduct and careless driving.
Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin, who had been scheduled to preside over Miller's nonjury trial, instead accepted the plea and sentenced the defendant to spend 61 days on house arrest with electronic monitoring and four additional months in probation.
He also sentenced Miller to pay costs, $1,050 in fines, $300 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, and to perform 10 hours community service.
State police at Schuylkill Haven had alleged that Miller was DUI at 3:34 a.m. May 27 on West Market Street. Miller had a blood alcohol level of 0.18 percent, police alleged; the legal limit for driving in Pennsylvania is .08 percent.
Also on Monday, a New York City man must pay fines and costs due to his ownership of a dilapidated building in Nuremberg.
Robert Morman, Bronx, N.Y., must pay costs and $2,000 in fines after Judge Charles M. Miller dismissed his appeal and found him guilty of five counts of owning a nuisance property.
"The property is in horrible condition ... and a hazard," Judge Miller said of 197-199 Mahanoy St.
North Union Township Code Enforcement Officer Charles J. Nahas testified that squirrels, rats and other animals are living in the building, and that Morman, who did not appear at Monday's hearing, admitted that he owns the property and it is in poor condition.
Magisterial District Judge Christina E. Hale, Frackville, found Morman guilty on Feb. 21, but the defendant appealed that ruling on April 20.
In other recent county court action, Judge John E. Domalakes accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to plea agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
Jonathan C. Dronick, 26, of Saint Clair; driving under the influence, disregarding traffic lane and seat belt violation; 72 hours to six months in prison, $1,035 in fines, $300 SAEF payment and 10 hours community service. Prosecutors dropped charges of careless driving and driving unregistered vehicle.
Christopher Eckert, 33, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI; 12 months house arrest, four years probation, $2,500 fine, $300 SAEF payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 40 hours community service. Prosecutors dropped a charge of careless driving.
Bryan T. Evans, 26, of Harrisburg; DUI and driving under suspension-DUI related; 120 days to five years in prison, $2,500 in fines, $300 SAEF payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 30 hours community service. Prosecutors dropped a charge of stop sign violation.
Jarrod L. Gieniec, 32, of Langhorne; possession of a controlled substance; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors dropped charges of delivery of a controlled substance and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
Jason R. Harman, 24, of Pottsville; DUI, improper display of plate and disregarding traffic lane; 25 days house arrest, five months and five days probation, $350 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors dropped charges of fleeing or eluding police and careless driving.
Jonathan T. Harris, 23, of Gordon; two counts of DUI and one each of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; six days to 12 months in prison, $2,00 in fines, $400 in SAEF payments, $240 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 30 hours community service.
David C. Henninger, 52, of Schuylkill Haven; two counts of harassment; $600 in fines. Prosecutors dropped charges of simple assault and criminal mischief.
Michael P. Kerr, 51, of Hazleton; DUI and driving under suspension-DUI related; 75 days house arrest, 5 1/2 months consecutive probation $1,500 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors dropped charges of resisting arrest and driving too slowly for conditions
Eric J. Kline, 26, of Minersville; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.