A Saint Clair man violated a protection from abuse order once but not twice, a Schuylkill County judge decided Wednesday.
Jeremy C. Hess, 28, is guilty of one charge of indirect criminal contempt, which is contempt committed outside the courtroom, but not guilty of a second such charge, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled.
Dolbin sentenced Hess to pay costs and a $300 fine.
State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Hess with going to the Landingville residence of Paula Stevens, his ex-girlfriend, following her around and harassing her at Russo's Pizza in West Brunswick Township on April 15.
"He got very angry and didn't want me to leave," Stevens testified about their confrontation at Russo's.
Stevens and Hess have a daughter, and the defendant testified he is worried about the latter.
"I just want to see my kid," Hess said.
However, he admitted meeting Stevens at Russo's and arguing with her.
In the other case against Hess, state police at Schuylkill Haven had charged him with sending text messages to Stevens on April 22.
Also on Wednesday, Russell D. Bowman, 48, of Shenandoah, pleaded guilty to indirect criminal contempt for violating a PFA order.
Dolbin sentenced Bowman to pay costs and a $300 fine.
Bowman admitted sending text messages to the victim on April 6 in Shenandoah, as Shenandoah police had charged.
"The abuse order is still in effect. That means zero" contact with the victim is permitted, Dolbin warned Bowman.
In another Wednesday case, Dolbin found Brandon W. Hanley, 29, of Schuylkill Haven, guilty of indirect criminal contempt for violating a Clinton County PFA order, and sentenced him to pay costs and a $300 fine.
State police at Schuylkill Haven had charged Hanley, who did not appear for Wednesday's hearing, with violating the order on April 16 in Wayne Township.
"He would text me all the time ... trying to get back with me," the victim, Katie B. Hanley, testified. She said Brandon Hanley sent her about 40 text messages, only about 10 of which were permitted by the order because they concerned their children.
Also on Wednesday, Schuylkill County prosecutors withdrew criminal charges against two defendants, including one who had been charged in connection with two separate alleged incidents on the same day in Schuylkill Haven.
William Corsino, 54, of New Philadelphia, had been charged with simple assault, possession of a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and harassment in one case and aggravated assault, simple assault and harassment in the other. Schuylkill Haven borough police had alleged he committed each set of crimes on May 26, 2013, in the borough.
Jarelle R. Canyon, 25, of Mahanoy City, had been charged with criminal trespass, simple assault, recklessly endangering another person, harassment and criminal mischief. Shenandoah police had alleged Canyon committed those crimes on Oct. 26, 2013, in the borough.
President Judge William E. Baldwin signed an order in each case allowing prosecutors to withdraw the charges. In Corsino's cases, he ordered prosecutors to pay the costs, while in Canyon's case, he ordered the defendant to pay the costs.
Also in the county court, Dolbin on Tuesday revoked the probation of Daniel W. Nye, 22, of New Philadelphia, in two cases and sentenced him to time served to 12 months in prison, plus 12 months additional probation.
Nye pleaded guilty on July 24, 2013, to two charges of theft. At that time, Dolbin placed him on probation for 12 months and also sentenced him to pay costs, $100 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, $100 in bench warrant fees and $380 restitution, amounts Nye still must pay under the terms of Tuesday's sentence.
Tower City police filed both charges against Nye, alleging he committed the thefts in the borough on Oct. 25, 2010, and March 9, 2011.
In other recent county court action, Judge John E. Domalakes accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
Jessee J. Price, 28, of Ringtown; bad checks; 12 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and $600 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of theft by deception.
William A. Pytak, 29, of Frackville; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation and $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund. Prosecutors withdrew charges of manufacture of a controlled substance, possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance.
Gerald P. Roche, 51, of Girardville; accident involving damage to attended vehicle or property and driving under suspension; 12 months probation, $200 fine and $2,528.82 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew charges of habitual offender, reckless driving, careless driving and driving without a license.
James R. Seigfried, 23, of Pine Grove; possession of a controlled substance, recklessly endangering another person and stop sign violation; 23 months probation, $25 fine, $100 SAEF payment, $100 in CJEA payments, $239 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew charges of careless driving and approaching intersection improperly.
David R. Shoffler, 30, of Tremont; driving under the influence and violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages; six months in the intermediate punishment program, $775 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of careless driving.
Kyle Siegfried, 22, of Hazleton; possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest; 150 days to 18 months in prison and $100 SAEF payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of marijuana.
Fallon M. Sincavage, 19, of Pottsville; criminal use of a communication facility; 23 months probation. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of conspiracy.
Bernard M. Skaudis, 57, of Ringtown; two charges of DUI; 144 hours to 12 months in prison, $2,000 in fines, $600 in SAEF payments, $50 CJEA payment and $120 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.