Two charged with selling marijuana
Two people were arrested by state police recently on suspicion of selling marijuana to a confidential informant.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Tyrone Eugene Garnett, 22, and Tahmir Alsawab Hammond, 23, both of Towanda, have each been charged with criminal conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance; and possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance. In addition, Garnett has been charged with criminal use of a communication facility; while Hammond has been charged with use of or possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.
Garnett is accused of having contacted the confidential informant on Feb. 19 via cell phone, and arranged to sell the informant a quantity of marijuana. The next day, the report continued, Hammond communicated via cell phone to the confidential informant, in which a deal was made to sell more marijuana. Police said the informant was dropped off near the suspects' residence on the days in question with pre-recorded currency, and returned each time with a substance that tested positive as marijuana.
On Feb. 21, according to the report, police executed a search and arrest warrant at the suspects' address, and took them into custody. During the investigation, police said, it was determined that both Garnett and Hammond were on parole, and both were wanted for fleeing from a half-way house.
Both were arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, who ordered the two incarcerated in lieu of $25,000 apiece.
Woman accused of corruption
A Towanda woman has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark to answer a charge of corruption of a minor.
According to information filed at Clark's office, Amanda L. Talada, 36, has also been charged with firearm ownership - duty of other persons. Talada has been accused by Towanda police of permitting a juvenile to sell a Glock Model 21 pistol. Although Talada contended the juvenile had received the pistol from his deceased grandfather's estate, the report said, subsequent investigation by Towanda police through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives revealed that it had been stolen from a parked vehicle a few months earlier.
Talada is scheduled to appear before Judge Clark on March 26.
Man charged with assaulting juvenile
A Monroeton man was cited by state police recently on a charge of endangering the welfare of a child.
According to papers filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Erik James Bartholomew, 25, has also been charged with simple assault. Bartholomew is accused of striking and injuring a young juvenile male in the left eye in November, bruising it in the process. In addition, Bartholomew is also charged with striking the juvenile with a stick on his rear thigh, injuring him there as well.
Bartholomew is scheduled to appear before Judge Clark on March 28.
Woman faces theft charge
A Towanda woman has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark to answer a charge of theft by unlawful taking.
According to information filed in Clark's office, Donna M. Ritzel, 40, was cited by Towanda police for the above offense following an investigation conducted back in January. At that time, according to reports, Sergeant David Lantz spoke with Giovanni Mignano, who informed him that Ritzel had withdrawn $367 from his business account when she was not authorized to do so.
Ritzel's preliminary hearing has been scheduled for March 26 before Judge Clark.
Woman charged with possession
A Towanda woman was cited by state police recently on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Molly J. Pedro, 46, has also been charged with use or possession of drug paraphernalia.
Police reported serving arrest warrants on two people who reside with Pedro in Towanda on Dec. 17. During the procedure, police continued, they discovered a number of items suspected of being controlled substances, as well as devices consistent with illegal drug use. A new warrant was obtained from Judge Clark to search the premises, according to the report, in which oxycodone, codeine, morphine, and other controlled substances were seized, along with hypodermic needles, a glass smoking device, and a digital scale.
Pedro has been issued a summons to appear before Judge Clark on April 2.
Man charged with game law violations
A Sugar Run man has been charged by the game commission with illegally shooting and killing a deer from his vehicle.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Roger Ray Sharts, 43, has been charged with unlawful killing or taking of big game; unlawful acts concerning licenses; loaded firearms in vehicles; unlawful devices and methods; and trespass on private property while hunting.
Authorities reported receiving a complaint from individuals in December, who indicated they had observed Sharts shoot and kill a deer on private property from his white Ford F-150 pickup truck. After receiving the complaint, authorities spoke to Sharts, who insisted he had not been hunting on the day in question. However, subsequent investigation led authorities to file charges against Sharts for violation of the state game laws.
Sharts is scheduled to appear before Judge Clark for his preliminary hearing on March 25.
Man charged with criminal trespass
A Towanda man has been charged by state police with criminal trespass.
According to papers filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Benjamin Jacob Kinsman, 26, was cited by state police for the above offense following an incident on Dec. 11 in Wysox Township. Police reported being contacted by a homeowner on that date, who informed them he had received a Facebook message from Kinsman earlier in the day. The message, according to reports, was "Dude, make sure people are locking up. I just walked past a house with all of its doors unlocked and enough lights on to be friendly. I seriously just walked through your entire house."
The homeowner informed the police he checked his security cameras, which had earlier recorded Kinsman approaching his residence, walking up his driveway. Kinsman was observed entering a closed garage via an access door, the report continued, and exited a door leading to the rear patio area of the residence.
On Feb. 9, Kinsman was interviewed by the authorities, who said that he knows the owner of the residence, and was merely taking a shortcut home.
Kinsman has been sent a summons to appear before Judge Clark on March 18.
Man cited for drug violations
A Towanda man was arrested by state police recently on a warrant for various drug law violations.
According to information filed with Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark, Brian Patrick Hennessy, 32, has been charged with possession of a controlled substance; and possession with intent to use drug paraphernalia.
Police reported taking Hennessy into custody on an arrest warrant at a private residence in December. During their investigation, police reported, they discovered a number of controlled substances on the premises, as well as various drug paraphernalia.
Hennessy has been sent a summons to appear before Judge Clark on April 2.
DUI
The following people were recently cited in Bradford County for driving while under the influence:
Nathan Gregory Simons, 23, of Rome. Simons has also been charged by state police with operating an unregistered motor vehicle; driving without insurance; driving on the wrong side of the road; operating a vehicle at an unsafe speed; and careless driving. Simons was arrested on Dec. 24, following a one-vehicle crash on Orwell Hill Road in Orwell Township. Simons agreed to submit to a blood test, which eventually revealed that his blood alcohol content was .182 percent on the day of his arrest. Simons has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton on March 18.
Tabitha Gladys Ackley, 32, of Towanda. Ackley has also been charged by state police with driving on the wrong side of the road; and careless driving. Ackley was charged following a traffic stop on Jan. 26 on U.S. Route 6 in Wysox Township. Ackley agreed to submit to a blood test, which eventually revealed that her blood alcohol content was .284 percent on the day of her arrest. Ackley has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Fred Wheaton on March 18.
Howard Dean Freeman, 54, of New Albany. Freeman has also been charged by state police with displaying an incorrect registration plate on his vehicle; operating a vehicle without insurance; driving at an unsafe speed; careless driving; failure to report a vehicle accident to the authorities; and failure to wear his seatbelt. Freeman was charged following a one-vehicle vehicle accident on Feb. 2, on Hatch Hill Road in New Albany. Freeman agreed to submit to a blood test that eventually revealed his blood alcohol content was .148 percent on the day of the accident. Freeman has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark on March 26.
Joshua Michael Cummiskey, 24, of New Albany. Cummiskey has also been charged by state police with driving at an unsafe speed; careless driving; and failure to wear his seatbelt. Cummiskey was charged following a vehicle crash on U.S. Route 220 on Jan. 9 that occurred in front of the Dandy in New Albany. Cummiskey agreed to submit to a blood test, which later revealed his blood alcohol content was .118 percent on the day of his arrest. Cummiskey has been sent a summons to appear before Magisterial District Judge Tim Clark on March 19.