A Shenandoah man is headed to prison after being sentenced Tuesday in Schuylkill County Court for selling heroin in September 2012 in his hometown.
Francis L. Guida must serve one day less than 12 months to one day less than 24 months in prison under the terms of Judge John E. Domalakes' sentence.
"You have a substantial prior record," Domalakes told Guida before imposing the prison sentence, which is the maximum possible one that can be served in the county prison instead of a state correctional institution.
Domalakes also sentenced Guida to spend 12 months on probation after completing the prison term and pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. He made the sentence effective at 8 p.m. Friday.
Guida pleaded guilty on Oct. 17 to delivery of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Shenandoah police had charged Guida with selling 0.61 grams of heroin on Sept. 6, 2012, in the borough.
Domalakes accepted the request of Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, Guida's lawyer, who had asked that Guida be imprisoned in the county so he could participate in the work release program.
Also on Tuesday, Domalakes sentenced Ashley Slack, 46, of Minersville, to spend six to 23 1/2 months on house arrest with electronic monitoring, and pay costs and a $50 CJEA payment.
"If you violate the terms of that house arrest, it can be revoked," with imprisonment to follow, Domalakes warned Slack.
Slack pleaded guilty on Oct. 17 to insurance fraud and theft by deception, which Minersville police had charged her with committing on Aug. 18, 2012, in the borough.
Anthony James Urban, Pottsville, Slack's lawyer, successfully sought house arrest for his client, saying she has many medical problems that would be expensive for the county to manage if she were imprisoned.
"She's a disabled veteran," Urban said of Slack.
In another Tuesday case, President Judge William E. Baldwin sentenced Corey M. Vanetten, 36, of Auburn, to spend five years in the intermediate punishment program, which combines substance abuse treatment and punishment, pay costs, $2,000 in fines, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street, and perform 40 hours community service.
"I want to thank everybody involved in this for enabling me to get some help for myself," Vanetten said.
Vanetten had pleaded guilty on Oct. 13 to driving under the influence and two counts of driving under suspension-DUI related. Minersville police had charged him with committing his crimes on Nov. 22, 2012, in the borough.
In other court action Tuesday, a Centre County woman will not have to spend more time in prison after being sentenced Tuesday on charges resulting from a June 2011 theft in the city.
Siobhan C. Amerman, 34, of Spring Mills, was sentenced to time served to 11 months in prison, plus 12 months consecutive probation. Domalakes granted Amerman immediate parole.
Domalakes also sentenced Amerman to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, a $50 bench warrant fee and $763.20 restitution, perform 20 hours community service and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
Amerman had pleaded guilty on Oct. 17 to theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
Pottsville police had charged Amerman with committing her crimes on June 22, 2011, in the city.
In other recent county court action, Domalakes accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
Andrew R. Cerklewski, 31, of Shamokin; no contest plea to theft; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
Heather L. Eichert, 39, of Tower City; driving under the influence; 72 hours to six months in prison, $1,000 fine, $300 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $259 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew charges of suspended vehicle registration, operating vehicle without required financial responsibility, disregarding traffic lane, violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages, no rear lights and seat belt violation.
Ronald S. Haslam, 27, of Saint Clair; DUI and possession of drug paraphernalia; 72 hours to six months in prison, 12 months probation, $1,000 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana, failure to obey traffic control devices and public drunkenness and a second count of possession of drug paraphernalia.
Nicole M. Heffner, 33, of Pottsville; two counts of stalking and one of forgery; four years probation and $100 in CJEA payments. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of harassment.
Max J. Hollywood, 20, of Pottsville; theft; 12 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of burglary, conspiracy, criminal trespass and receiving stolen property.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.