The Tremont man who spent time in prison for charges stemming from the October 2006 mining accident in which a fellow miner died will not have to serve more time behind bars even though a Schuylkill County judge revoked his parole Thursday on an unrelated charge.
Instead, Jeffrey T. Klinger, 47, will remain on parole for the driving under the influence charge under the terms of President Judge William E. Baldwin's order.
Klinger admitted violating his parole by driving a vehicle without an ignition interlock device, which he cannot do under the terms of his parole. State police at Lykens alleged he drove a vehicle without such a device on Jan. 6. The charge of illegally operating a vehicle without an ignition interlock is pending in Dauphin County Court.
Klinger pleaded guilty on Oct. 21, 2010, in Schuylkill County Court to DUI. Baldwin accepted his plea and sentenced him to serve 90 days to five years in prison and pay costs, a $1,500 fine, $300 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account.
State police at Lykens alleged Klinger was DUI on Sept. 27, 2009.
On Sept. 16, 2009, Klinger pleaded guilty to two charges, blasting coal or rock without first obtaining a certificate to mine and storing explosives or detonators in the direct line of blasting. Judge Jacqueline L. Russell accepted his plea and placed him to 60 days probation.
However, Russell twice revoked Klinger's probation, and after the second revocation, she sentenced him to serve three to six months in prison.
Klinger was charged in connection with an Oct. 23, 2006, explosion at R&D Coal Co., Tremont Township, in which Dale Reightler, 43, of Donaldson, was killed.