Five bench warrants issued on second Return Day of February
RIDGWAY - The day dawned bright and early in Ridgway when the 59th Judicial District opened court at 8:30 a.m. for a full day of cases on the second Return Day of February, but five defendants failed to show up for their court cases and had Bench Warrants posted against them with their Bail revoked as well. All of these individuals had warrants sworn out against them and should contact their local law enforcement to turn themselves in before more serious charges arise from their absence.
Joseph Leo Hollingshead, 40, of Wilcox, failed to show up for five separate cases ranging from forgery to drug possession, theft by deception, receiving stolen property, and even a slew of summary traffic offenses.
Richard Arthur Alpaugh Jr, 49, of Johnsonburg, skipped out of his hearing on simple assault and harassment charges.
Drew Patrick Curley, 29, of Reynoldsville, failed to show up for some serious drug charges, including possession with intent to manufacture or deliver controlled substances, criminal use of a communication facility, and possession of a controlled substance.
Donald P. Sheetz, 38, of Kersey, is charged with two separate theft by unlawful taking complaints and receiving stolen property but did not show up for his appointed court date.
Ryan Ritchie Gleixner, 37, of St. Marys, did not show up for his 10 a.m. court date, and a bench warrant was immediately issued. He was in custody quickly and was brought to Ridgway to plead guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia during the afternoon session. He received a year of probation for this charge, along with a mandatory $300 fine, the cost of prosecution, and the monthly $45 monitoring fee for the Elk County Probation Department for the length of his sentence.
The Return Day on Monday was split into two sessions, the morning and afternoon, with the defendants who showed up being quickly adjudicated by President Judge Shawn T. McMahon.
Seth J. Stahl, 29, of Ridgway, pled guilty to one count of harassment in the morning session and was sentenced to 11 days of incarceration with credit for time served, a $300 fine, a cost of prosecution of $367, and will be on probation for a year with the $45 fee to Elk County Probation every month.
Eric Michael Mahovlich, 34, of Emporium, pled guilty to the unauthorized use of a motorized vehicle from Bucktail Motors and will have to spend the next year on probation with the associated costs as well as paying $4,361.37 in restitution for damages and cleaning of the vehicle.
John Leland Hummel II, 28, of Johnsonburg, pled guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and will be on probation for the next year, participating in in-patient drug treatment as part of his sentence.
Casey Paul Jordan, 33, of Johnsonburg, pled guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia, in this case, a marijuana grinder, and will be on probation for the next year with all the associated costs, fines, and fees.
Shawn Michael McCoy, 34, of St. Marys, was a disruptive inmate when his case was first called in the morning session, yelling out and refusing the plea deal he had agreed to. He was taken back to Elk County Prison and returned in the afternoon session once his attorney had once again explained the terms of the plea deal to him. He pled guilty to his third DUI and was sentenced to ten days of incarceration with credit for time served and making terroristic threats for a 45-day sentence with credit for time served. He will be paroled from the bench into an in-patient drug and alcohol treatment program. He still owes all the standard fines and fees, including $385 to the St. Marys Police Department for lab fees arising from his DUI arrest.
Tori Nicole Shaffer, 26, of Penfield, pled guilty to receiving stolen property and was sentenced to time served of 49 days with probation for the next two years on top of the standard fines, fees, and the charge of $350 for her DNA swab profile.
Todd Donald Bogacki, 54, of Ridgway, pled guilty to his second DUI and was sentenced to nine days to six months in prison with credit for time served. He must also complete both Phase I and II of the Drug and Alcohol treatment program, attend driving classes, and pay the mandatory $300 fine and cost of prosecution, which generally runs around $367.
Kevin Joseph Gnan, 25, of St. Marys, pled guilty to theft by unlawful taking for removing property valued at $1,901.26 from Auto Zone of St. Marys. He trespassed permanently from Auto Zone and must pay the $1,901.26 in restitution as well as be on probation for the next two years. He will also have to pay the $350 fee to enter the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania DNA registry.
Kenneth Talm Goodman, 37, of Kane, pled guilty to his first DUI charge and was sentenced to participate in the ARD (Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition) program, which will see him on probation for the next six months as he completes the program.
William J. Sadosky, 58, of St. Marys, pled guilty to his first DUI charge and was sentenced to six months of probation, the mandatory $300 fine, and the associated costs from the probation department.
Lucas Paul Catalone, 38, of St. Marys, pled guilty to a single count of harassment and was able to pay all costs and fees as well as restitution of over $600 to the victim, who agreed that if those conditions were met, his sentence would be fulfilled. He was released from court with no further fines or fees due.