In Indiana County Court today, a number of defendants are scheduled for sentencing, most for driving under the influence or related charges. There are also a number of “plea and sentencing” proceedings, all of which involve driving under the influence and some with other crimes, including theft.
Among those to be sentenced today is 32-year-old Roy William Rankin Jr. of Creekside, who pleaded guilty to felony corruption of minors and misdemeanor indecent assault of a person less than thirteen years of age in a case from January 1st of 2006. The case was initiated in July of last year. Before Rankin is sentenced, Judge Michael Clark will conduct a hearing on a request by District Attorney Pat Dougherty to designate Rankin a sexually violent predator.
22-year-old Christian Winfield of Zelienople will be sentenced for a guilty plea to possession with intent to deliver less than a pound of marijuana.
The other two defendants to be sentenced, both of whom have already pleaded guilty to DUI, are Richard Lee Barnhart Jr. of Derry, in two separate cases; and Laura Margaret Thomas of Clifton, New Jersey.
