A Hegins man will spend time in prison and more on probation after being sentenced Tuesday in Schuylkill County Court for trying to run over two people with his mother's car in Porter Township.
Steve A. Lucas, 41, must serve six to 12 months in prison, plus two years on probation, under the terms of Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin's sentence.
"I want you to turn into a good law-abiding citizen," Dolbin told Lucas.
As part of his sentence, Dolbin also ordered Lucas to pay costs, a $1,000 fine and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and perform 250 hours community service.
"I accept full responsibility for my actions," Lucas said. "I overreacted."
In a one-day trial over which Dolbin presided, a jury found Lucas guilty on Oct. 23 of two counts each of simple assault and recklessly endangering another person, but not guilty of two counts of aggravated assault. Dolbin also found Lucas guilty of six counts of harassment and one of careless driving, but not guilty of one count each of driving without a license and reckless driving.
State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Lucas with using his mother's 2013 Toyota Scion to hit James Madenford and Aaron Spell twice about 8 p.m. June 21 in Good Spring.
"The car spun out. He came flying right toward us," Madenford testified at the trial. "I flew through the air. I hit the side of the house."
Also on Tuesday, Judge Charles M. Miller sentenced Theresa R. Schreffler, 50, of Zion Grove, to spend six months on probation for a charge of driving under the influence.
"This was an isolated incident," Valarie L. Potell, Harrisburg, Schreffler's lawyer, argued in successfully asking Miller to keep her client out of prison.
Miller also sentenced Schreffler to pay costs, a $300 fine and $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
Miller had found Schreffler guilty on Sept. 30 of DUI after a two-hour nonjury trial.
State police at Frackville alleged Schreffler was DUI about 2:05 a.m. Sept. 30, 2012, on Route 4033 in Pattersonville, Union Township. Schreffler had a blood alcohol level of 0.096 percent, according to police; the legal limit for driving in Pennsylvania is 0.08 percent.
In other recent county court action, Judge Jacqueline L. Russell accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
Raymond L. Sitler, 22, of Frackville; criminal use of a communication facility; 197 days to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, two years consecutive probation, $50 CJEA payment and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew charges of conspiracy, delivery of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.
Bradley C. Victor, 19, of Frackville; theft; 18 months probation, $50 CJEA payment, $50 bench warrant fee, $350 restitution and 20 hours community service. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property.
Francis S. Vilcheck, 34, of Pottsville; possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance; one to 18 months in prison with immediate parole, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem, 20 hours community service and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew charges of theft by deception and receiving stolen property.
Robert J. Whalen, 42, of Shenandoah; burglary, theft and receiving stolen property; time served to 23 months in prison with immediate parole, $50 CJEA payment, $300 restitution, 20 hours community service and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of criminal trespass.
Gregory L. Yoder III, 24, of Shenandoah; accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property; 12 months probation, $2,437.60 restitution and 20 hours community service.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.