A Pottsville man faces potential state prison time after being convicted June 2 in Schuylkill County Court of assaulting his mother in August 2013.
Scott A. Poslosky, 35, did not react as a jury of seven men and five women convicted him of aggravated assault and simple assault. Jurors deliberated less than an hour.
Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin, who presided over the one-day trial, ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and scheduled Poslosky's sentencing for 11 a.m. July 31. He allowed Poslosky to remain free on $25,000 unsecured bail pending his sentencing.
Pottsville police charged Poslosky with assaulting his mother on Aug. 3, 2013, at her residence after they argued about him bringing a woman there.
"She was going to call the cops. I ripped the phone out of her hands," Poslosky said in a videotaped statement to police. "I didn't hit her."
However, Poslosky said in the statement, which city police Patrolman James P. Englert played for the jury, that he and his mother got into a scuffle and she hit her head. The scuffle lasted about three minutes, Poslosky said.
"She never punched me or tried to attack me," he said.
In other county court action, a Pottsville man admitted on May 30 that he possessed heroin in November 2013 in the city.
Tyre R. Dunn, 25, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance.
Judge Charles M. Miller accepted the plea and sentenced Dunn to serve four to 12 months in prison, pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund and $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account, and perform 10 hours community service. Pottsville police had charged Dunn with possessing the heroin on Nov. 19, 2013.
Prosecutors also withdrew charges against two defendants on May 30.
Dennis J. Powanda Jr., 31, of Pottsville, had been charged with receiving stolen property and conspiracy. Saint Clair police had charged him with committing those crimes on Sept. 29, 2013, in the borough.
Matthew R. Stephany, 23, of Pottsville, had been charged with two counts each of aggravated assault, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person and one of disorderly conduct. Pottsville police had charged him with committing those crimes on Sept. 18, 2013, in the city.
President Judge William E. Baldwin signed an order in each case allowing prosecutors to withdraw charges and directing the defendants to pay costs.
In other county court action, Judge James P. Goodman accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed sentences on these people:
Tedd R. Fredericks, 41, address unknown - possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.
Brian S. Fritz, 37, of Tamaqua - possessing instrument of crime; two years probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew prohibited possession of an offensive weapon and public drunkenness charges.
Carlene L. Halcovich, 53, of Mount Carmel - driving under the influence; 30 days to six months in prison, $750 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street.
Steven D. Harris, 50, of Berwick - DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia, driving under suspension-DUI related and failure to obey traffic control devices; five to 14 months in prison, $1,525 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and $176 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of marijuana, failure to drive at a safe speed, careless driving and violation of restrictions on alcoholic beverages.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.