A Delaware County man faces prison time after being found guilty June 10 in Schuylkill County Court of stealing copper wire in March 2013 in West Brunswick Township.
Jason J. Sweeney, 33, of Drexel Hill, did not react as Judge Jacqueline L. Russell, who presided over his one-day nonjury trial, pronounced him guilty of theft and receiving stolen property.
Russell ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and scheduled Sweeney's sentencing for 1:30 p.m. June 26. She allowed the defendant to remain free on $5,000 unsecured bail pending sentencing.
State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Sweeney and Joseph R. Driscoll with stealing the copper wire, which belonged to Verizon, on March 14, 2013.
"I was up in the bucket," Driscoll testified. "Jason was rolling them up and I was cutting them down."
Driscoll, 37, of Pottstown, pleaded guilty on April 17 to false identification to law enforcement, conspiracy and theft. President Judge William E. Baldwin sentenced Driscoll on that date to serve six to 23 months in prison and pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $1,999.52 restitution.
Mark Fritz, a Verizon splicing technician, testified he saw Driscoll and Sweeney rolling up the wires and followed them when they fled the scene.
Sweeney testified Driscoll was his foreman and told him what to do.
"I didn't do anything wrong," Sweeney said. "I was following orders."
Sweeney also said he did not know Fritz worked for Verizon.
In another June 10 case, Marleeka S. Ballard, 24, of Frackville, pleaded guilty to driving under the influence and an improper left turn.
Judge Charles M. Miller, who was to have presided over Ballard's nonjury trial, instead accepted her plea, ordered preparation of a presentence investigation and scheduled her sentencing for 9:30 a.m. July 15.
Pottsville police charged Ballard with DUI on June 8, 2013, in the city.
Also on June 10, prosecutors withdrew charges of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia against Robert Seigel Jr., 25, of Mahanoy City.
Mahanoy City police had charged Seigel with possessing drugs and paraphernalia on Dec. 20, 2012, in the borough. Baldwin signed an order allowing prosecutors to withdraw the charges.
In other recent county court action, Baldwin accepted guilty pleas from, and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
Timothy J. Stephens, 27, of Girardville; theft; 23 months probation, $50 CJEA payment and $105 restitution. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of theft of lost property.
Max W. Walls, 31, of Pottsville; DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under suspension; 72 hours to six months in prison, 12 months consecutive probation, $1,200 in fines, $300 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 CJEA payment and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of driving without lights.
Jonathan A. Wamspole, 44, of Pottsville; two counts of harassment and one of disorderly conduct; $300 in fines. Prosecutors withdrew two additional counts of disorderly conduct.
Scott L. Webber, 44, of Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia; two to 12 months in prison, $100 SAEF payment and $50 bench warrant fee.
Randy G. Williams, 58, of Pottsville; possession of drug paraphernalia; three to 12 months in prison, $100 SAEF payment and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
Dustin K. Wolfe, 29, of Pine Grove; receiving stolen property; $50 CJEA payment and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of conspiracy.
William Metzinger, 65, of Gordon; simple assault and recklessly endangering another person; two to 21 1/2 months in prison and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of aggravated assault.
Justin D. Monaghan, 31, of Frackville; resisting arrest; 23 months probation and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew charges of DUI, disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, driving the wrong way, careless driving and driving on sidewalk.
Laura L. Parenzan, 24, of Orwigsburg; possession of a controlled substance, possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $302 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.
Danielle M. Revinski, 28, of Ashland; DUI; 48 hours to six months in prison, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment, $50 bench warrant fee and $60 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of failure to stop at red signal.
Michael E. Ridgley, 44, of Pottsville; theft and receiving stolen property; 12 months probation, $500 fine, $50 CJEA and $300 restitution.
Robert Slover, 28, of Shenandoah; theft and receiving stolen property; 18 months probation and $50 CJEA payment.
Patrick Smith, 23, of Bensalem; theft and receiving stolen property; 18 months probation, $50 CJEA payment, $50 bench warrant fee and $1,377.01 restitution.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.