A convicted sex offender will spend more time behind bars after a Schuylkill County judge on Monday revoked the probation he had been serving following a state prison term.
Wayne J. Heffelfinger II, 26, of Tamaqua, must serve six to 23 more months in prison, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin ruled.
Dolbin imposed the sentence after revoking Heffelfinger's probation following the defendant's admission that he had violated it by visiting the Tamaqua Public Library, which was barred to him as a place where children congregate.
"He is a violent sexual predator," testified James Knauss, a state probation agent. "He's a high risk to possibly reoffend."
Heffelfinger testified he was in the library only to read newspapers.
"I understand the conditions. I was looking for a job. I was looking to get back on my feet," he said.
Heffelfinger pleaded guilty on Feb. 25, 2004, to two counts each of rape and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and one each of aggravated assault, aggravated indecent assault, voluntary deviate sexual intercourse and unlawful restraint. Prosecutors withdrew charges of statutory sexual assault and simple assault.
Dolbin sentenced him on June 3, 2004, to serve five to 10 years in a state correctional institution, plus five years consecutive probation.
Prosecutors alleged Heffelfinger raped a 7-year-old child on June 11, 2003.
Also on Monday, Dolbin sentenced Breanne Newton, 30, of Pottsville, to spend six to 18 months in prison.
He had revoked Newton's probation after she admitted violating it by failing to report to her supervising officer, having new charges filed against her, failing a drug test and not paying her costs and restitution.
"She did what she wanted," Assistant District Attorney Robert M. Reedy said of Newton.
Newton had asked for a lesser sentence, saying she wanted to pay her costs and restitution.
"I need to get a job," she testified. "I don't want to be (in prison)."
However, Dolbin rejected her request.
"You had a break then" he said in referring to Newton's original sentencing. "I'm not giving you any more breaks."
Newton pleaded guilty on July 25 to conspiracy, with prosecutors withdrawing three additional counts of conspiracy. Dolbin placed her on probation for 18 months and also sentenced her to pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $1,335 restitution.
Pottsville police had charged her with committing the crime on Aug. 25, 2011, in the city.
In other recent county court action, Dolbin accepted guilty pleas from and, pursuant to agreements between prosecutors and defendants, imposed the indicated sentences on, these people:
Donald C. Murphy, 30, of Frackville; aggravated harassment by prisoner; two to seven years in a state correctional institution concurrent to current sentence, $50 CJEA payment, $344 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities.
Edwin M. Pauly, 51, of Pottsville; two counts of corruption of minors and one of selling or furnishing alcohol to minors; one to 12 months in prison, $1,000 fine and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors withdrew two additional counts of selling or furnishing alcohol to minors.
Tasha L. Richards, 36, of Pottsville; driving under the influence and driving under suspension; 72 hours to six months in prison, $1,200 in fines, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $460 restitution to Schuylkill Medical Center-South Jackson Street and 10 hours community service.
Jennifer L. Richardson, 37, of Shenandoah; four counts of conspiracy, two of burglary and one each of theft and criminal trespass; 18 to 60 months in a state correctional institution, $250 in CJEA payments, $23,428 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew two counts each of theft and receiving stolen property and one of burglary.
Michael B. Schott, 38, of Frackville; terroristic threats, simple assault, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct; one day to 23 months in prison with immediate parole. Prosecutors withdrew an additional count of terroristic threats, six additional counts of simple assault and charges of ethnic intimidation, possessing instruments of crime and maliciously taking down a flag.
Harry J. Strain, 20, of White Haven; possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 SAEF payment, $50 CJEA payment and $50 bench warrant fee.
Wyatt Straub, 21, of Lykens; two counts each of theft and simple assault and one each of burglary, robbery, criminal trespass and harassment; two to four years in a state correctional institution, $150 fine, $100 in CJEA payments, $710 restitution and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors withdrew two counts each of robbery and conspiracy and one of harassment.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.