David A. Plachko
PORT CARBON - A 19-year-old Coaldale man who impersonated a police officer and tried to pull over another vehicle on Route 209 in Schuylkill Township on Feb. 28 had charges against him held for court during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge David A. Plachko.
Matthew Giambona, 1101 W. Water St., was arrested by state police Trooper Andrew Letcavage of the Frackville station and charged with one count each of impersonating a public servant and harassment. Plachko determined the Commonwealth proved a prima facie case against Giambona and ordered both charges held for Schuylkill County Court.
Letcavage said Giambona was driving an older model truck when he pulled up behind a vehicle driven by Brandy Lynn Knaus, flashing his headlights and four-way flashers, beeping the horn and also holding a blue and red light in the windshield.
When interviewed, Letcavage said Giambona admitted to parking alongside Route 209 and then trying to pull a vehicle over while acting as a police officer.
Other court cases included:
Scott J. Smulktis, 19, of 27 W. Donaldson St., Tremont - waived for court: DUI-high rate, DUI-minor, purchase of alcohol by a minor, careless driving and disregard for single traffic lane.
Joseph C. Kehoe III, 21, of 1134 Brock St., Ashland - waived for court: DUI, DUI-minor, purchase of alcohol by a minor and improper signaling.
Scott B. Verdier, 46, of 75 Silver Creek Road, New Philadelphia - held for court: theft of services. Verdier failed to appear for the hearing and a warrant was requested for his arrest.
Brittany Marks, 19, of 32 S. Mahanoy St., Frackville - waived for court: simple assault, harassment and criminal mischief.
Robert A. Hamm Jr., 30, of 104 N. Second St., Minersville - waived for court: simple assault and harassment.
Jeffrey W. Weicicoskie, 42, of 23 Middle St., New Philadelphia - waived for court: retail theft.
Matthew Bynon, no age available, of 208 N. Lehigh St., Tamaqua - dismissed: selling or furnishing alcohol to minors.
Carol A. Pankake
TREMONT - A 33-year-old Tower City man charged with assaulting a woman with a knife on Feb. 24 and fleeing from police waived his right to a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Carol A. Pankake.
Lee A. Dubois Sr., 932 E. Grand Ave., was arrested by state police Trooper John Sleboda of the Schuylkill Haven station and charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person, simple assault, endangering the welfare of children, resisting arrest, fleeing or attempting to flee police and harassment.
By waiving his right to a hearing, Dubois will have to answer to all eight charges in Schuylkill County Court.
Sleboda charged Dubois with assaulting Krystal Schantz at the home they shared with a large kitchen knife.
Dubois, Sleboda said, pushed the woman and dragged her by the hair into the kitchen where he threatened to kill her and threw the knife at her. The woman suffered bruises on her neck, shoulder, forearm and both knees, Sleboda said.
When Dubois threw the woman to the ground she was holding her 2-year-old son, Sleboda said, adding that the man left the home and fled on foot into the woods when troopers stopped the vehicle he was driving.