A Tamaqua woman will spend time in the state prison system after being sentenced Monday in Schuylkill County Court for two sets of drug-related crimes.
Jamie L. Fritzinger, 33, must serve two years in the state intermediate punishment program, which will combine prison time with treatment for substance abuse, Judge Charles M. Miller ruled.
In addition to the time in the program, Miller also sentenced Fritzinger to pay costs, a $500 fine, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, $200 restitution to the Schuylkill County Drug Task Force and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, and to submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.
"It gets expensive," Miller told Fritzinger about breaking the law.
Fritzinger pleaded guilty on Sept. 26, 2012, to one count each of criminal use of a communication facility, delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance and two of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Tamaqua police filed both sets of charges against Fritzinger, alleging she sold drugs on Nov. 12, 2012, and possessed drug paraphernalia on that date and again on May 13, 2011. Both incidents occurred in the borough, according to police.
Fritzinger already is at State Correctional Institution/Muncy, and Miller conducted Monday's sentencing hearing by videoconference.
Also on Monday, Judge John E. Domalakes revoked the probation and parole of Mark A. Yacovelli, 43, of Shenandoah, and sentenced him to serve an additional six to 12 months in prison.
"You're a poor candidate for supervision," Domalakes told Yacovelli in explaining his decision to revoke his probation and parole.
Yacovelli originally pleaded guilty on June 6, 2012, to two counts each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance and one of possession of drug paraphernalia. At that time, Domalakes sentenced him to spend 170 days to 12 months in prison, plus an additional 11 months on probation, and pay costs, a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 CJEA payment.
Mahanoy City police had charged Yacovelli with possessing drugs and drug paraphernalia on April 24, 2010, in the borough.
Domalakes determined that Yacovelli violated his probation and parole by not reporting to his supervising officer and by refusing to take a drug test.
"I was afraid to leave the house," Yacovelli testified. "I just withdrew into my apartment. It's safe."
However, Yacovelli also said he did not ask his supervising officer for help.
In other recent county court action, President Judge William E. Baldwin on Wednesday accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to plea agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
Luis A. Haddock, 20, of Pottsville; theft, harassment, disorderly conduct and possession of a small amount of marijuana; three to 12 months in prison and $50 in fines. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of recklessly endangering another person.
James D. Hairston, 31, of Pottsville; two counts each of delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance; sentencing deferred pending preparation of a presentence investigation. Pottsville police charged Hairston with selling cocaine twice in the city, once on Aug. 29, 2012, and again on Sept. 6, 2012.
Coree J. Hasenauer, 56, address not known; criminal trespass; three years probation and $50 CJEA payment.
Brent A. Mearian, 25, of Ashland; aggravated assault, fleeing or eluding police, improper turn signal, stop sign violation, reckless driving, failure to drive at a safe speed and two counts each of unsafe passing, illegal passing and violation on limitations on driving on the left side; 16 to 40 months in a state correctional institution, $425 in fines and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages and careless driving.
William L. Quigley Jr., 22, of Pottsville; two counts each of corruption of minors and selling or furnishing liquor to minors and one of possession of a controlled substance; two to 12 months in prison, 18 months consecutive probation, $2,000 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $111 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew two additional counts of selling or furnishing liquor to minors and one of purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of alcoholic beverages by a minor.
Daniel D. Strenkoski, 52, of Coal Township; driving under the influence, disregarding traffic lane and failure to drive at a safe speed; 30 days in prison, 90 days house arrest with electronic monitoring, 30 days alcohol monitoring, seven months strict supervision, four years probation, $1,550 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and 30 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of failure to give notice of change of name or address and careless driving.
Paul D. Swinesburg Jr., 29, of Hazleton; DUI and failure to stop; 15 days house arrest with electronic monitoring, 45 days strict supervision, four months probation, $1,025 in fines, $100 SAEF payment, $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 10 hours community service.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.