Schuylkill County prosecutors on Tuesday withdrew charges they had filed against a Shenandoah man.
Gilbert E. Smith, 40, had been charged with simple assault and harassment. Shenandoah police had alleged he committed those crimes on Nov. 6, 2013, in the borough.
Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Smith said the alleged victim had been subpoenaed for Tuesday's scheduled pre-trial hearing but did not appear anyway.
Judge Jacqueline L. Russell, who had been scheduled to preside over Tuesday's hearing, allowed prosecutors to withdraw the charges.
Also on Tuesday, Russell sentenced Scott F. Branz Jr., 31, of McAdoo, to spend 12 to 24 months in a state correctional institution.
Russell imposed the sentence after revoking Branz's probation, which the defendant admitted violating by being arrested for a new crime and failing a drug test.
Branz said he wanted to go to state prison because he needs help for his drinking problem.
"My alcoholism is raging out of control," Branz said.
Russell also required Branz to undergo drug and alcohol and anger management evaluations and have no contact with his victim.
Branz originally pleaded guilty on Nov. 13, 2013, to two counts of simple assault and one each of terroristic threats and recklessly endangering another person, with prosecutors withdrawing one count of aggravated assault and two of harassment. At that time, Russell placed Branz on probation for 23 months and also sentenced him to pay costs and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and perform 80 hours community service, all of which he still must do under the terms of Tuesday's sentence.
McAdoo police charged Branz with committing his crimes on March 26, 2013, in the borough.
In another Tuesday case, Russell revoked the parole of Justin Wolfe, 21, of Hegins, and recommitted him to prison until May 31, with no chance for another parole until completing drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations.
Wolfe admitted violating his parole by failing to report to his supervising officer, failing a drug test, not undergoing a drug and alcohol evaluation and not performing mandated community service.
Wolfe originally pleaded guilty on June 20, 2012, to criminal mischief, with prosecutors withdrawing a charge of theft. At that time, Russell sentenced him to spend 12 months on probation and pay costs, a $50 CJEA payment and $3,007.52 restitution.
However, Russell revoked his probation on June 20, 2013, and sentenced him at that time to serve 60 days to 12 months in prison.
Hegins Township police had charged Wolfe with committing his crime on July 19, 2011, in the township.
Also on Tuesday, Schuylkill County prosecutors withdrew criminal charges against two defendants.
Jodey A. Mertz, 46, of Coaldale, had been charged with simple assault and harassment. Coaldale police alleged he committed those crimes on Aug. 27, 2013, in the borough.
Ryan M. Natale, 25, of Pine Grove, also had been charged with simple assault and harassment. Schuylkill Haven borough police charged him with committing those crimes on Dec. 30, 2012, in the borough.
In each case, President Judge William E. Baldwin signed an order allowing prosecutors to withdraw the charges and directing the defendant to pay the costs of the case.
On Friday, prosecutors withdrew a charge of receiving stolen property against Dennis B. Hewes, 37, of Pottsville.
State police at Schuylkill Haven had alleged Hewes committed that crime on July 20, 2012.
Baldwin also signed an order allowing prosecutors to withdraw that charge.
Also in the county court, Baldwin recently accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
Leroy J. Manhart Jr., 44, of Sunbury, three counts of theft, two of criminal trespass and one each of flight to avoid apprehension and simple assault; 24 months in the intermediate punishment program, a $750 fine, a $50 payment to the CJEA, $2,400 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew three counts of receiving stolen property and one of aggravated assault.
Luis A. Rivera, 25, address not known; driving under the influence, resisting arrest, driving under suspension, criminal mischief and reckless driving; 72 hours to six months in prison with immediate parole, 12 months consecutive probation, $1,500 in fines, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $460 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew charges of fleeing or eluding police, careless driving, trespass by motor vehicle and speeding.
Steven M. Ryan, 36, of Orwigsburg; one count each of theft and receiving stolen property; eight to 23 months in prison, $2,450 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a second count of receiving stolen property.
Shannon M. Unger, address not known; defiant trespass; 12 months probation.
Damian L. Watson, 19, of Pottsville; delivery of a controlled substance, simple assault and receiving stolen property; time served to 23 months in prison, one year consecutive probation, $100 SAEF payment, $200 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew two counts of recklessly endangering another person and one each of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a controlled substance, conspiracy, burglary and theft.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.