A Girardville man will spend more time behind bars after being sentenced Monday in Schuylkill County Court for violating his probation on a charge resulting from a May 2009 fire in Shenandoah.
David M. Riedel, 31, must serve three to 23 months in prison, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled after revoking his probation.
Riedel initially pleaded guilty on Dec. 15, 2009, to arson and risking a catastrophe, with prosecutors withdrawing one count of criminal mischief and two additional counts of arson.
At that time, Dolbin sentenced Riedel to spend nine to 23 1/2 months in prison and an additional five years on probation, pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $47,174.98 restitution and submit a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.
Shenandoah police charged Riedel with starting a fire at 12:10 a.m. May 21, 2009, at a home at 320 W. Penn St. Police said the fire caused severe damage to that home and lesser damage to two adjoining buildings.
Also on Monday, Dolbin revoked the parole of David T. Osenbach Jr., 32, of Zieglersville, but immediately reparoled him.
Prosecutors had asked that Osenbach be sent to prison until at least March 1, 2014, but Nicholas A. Quinn, Pottsville, the defendant's lawyer, successfully argued that his client was working and needed to be free to support his family.
Osenbach also had asked to be allowed to support his family.
"I don't want my wife and my kids to be homeless," he said. "Me being here (isn't) helping my family."
Osenbach had pleaded guilty on March 20 to receiving stolen property. At that time, Dolbin sentenced him to serve one to 12 months in prison and pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and $184 restitution.
State police at Frackville had charged him with committing his crime on Aug. 9, 2011.
In another county case, prosecutors on Wednesday withdrew charges of simple assault and harassment against Sandra E. Thoroughgood, 32, of Pottsville.
State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged her with committing her crimes on Aug. 15.
President Judge William E. Baldwin signed an order allowing prosecutors to withdraw the charges and directing Thoroughgood to pay the costs of the case.
Also in the county court, Judge Jacqueline L. Russell accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
Robert J. McShaw, 57, of Pottsville - retail theft; six to 23 months in prison, $50 CJEA payment, 20 hours community service, no contact with the victim and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.
Jeremy M. Shafer, 19, of McAdoo - 16 counts of theft from a motor vehicle and one of conspiracy; 23 months probation, $50 CJEA payment, $707.84 restitution and 340 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew 15 counts each of theft and receiving stolen property and one of loitering and prowling at nighttime.
Jacob D. Shuey, 21, of Ashland - delivery of a controlled substance; 14 days to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, drug and alcohol evaluation, 20 hours community service and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Matthew Sleva, 25, of Pottsville - delivery of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia; six to 23 months in prison, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, 40 hours community service and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
Daniel A. Starr, 36, of Pottsville - resisting arrest; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and 20 hours community service.
Heidi Wagner, 19, of Tamaqua - defiant trespass; $25 fine. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of criminal mischief.
John P. Wagner, 36, of Tamaqua - possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and 100 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
Robert W. Weyman Jr., 33, of Hegins - simple assault; six to 23 months in prison, $50 CJEA payment, 20 hours community service and no contact with the victim. Prosecutors withdrew charges of aggravated assault, terroristic threats, recklessly endangering another person and harassment.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.