UPDATE: Podoletz was sentenced to serve up to two years of probation and was ordered to pay $1700 in fines along with court costs and restitution.
WHAT WE PREVIOUSLY REPORTED
In Indiana County Court today, jury selection is scheduled for 34-year-old Vincent Lamar Jackson of Euclid, Ohio, who was taken into custody last August as police were serving a warrant on another person at a home on Schoolhouse Road in Burrell Township. A state trooper saw various items of drug paraphernalia in plain view and further investigation showed that they belonged to Jackson. He also had a large amount of cash on him, and police say he had flushed drugs down a toilet when he saw the troopers approaching the door. Jackson is charged with possession with intent to deliver, conspiracy to the same offense, criminal use of a communication facility, possession of a controlled substance, and of drug paraphernalia. His trial will be held before Judge William Martin.
Sentencing is scheduled for 32-year-old Brittany May Podoletz of Blairsville, who pleaded guilty in three criminal cases. She admitted guilt to retail theft in September of last year, and to receiving stolen property in two incidents in July of last year. All three cases were filed by Blairsville Borough police. She will also have a Plea Court appearance to answer drug charges.
Also in court today, 45-year-old Donna Mae Ackerson of Butler will be sentenced for a felony guilty plea to carrying a firearm without a license. Ackerson is listed as having formerly lived in Marion Center. She has had numerous criminal cases in Indiana, Armstrong, Cambria, and Butler counties, and is currently awaiting trial in Butler County Court, where she withdrew guilty pleas to arson and to unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
Plea Court will be held today for:
- Thomas McGhen of Indiana, who’s charged with possession of drug paraphernalia;
- Michelle Schroth of Indiana, who’s charged with two counts each of recklessly endangering and harassment, and a single count of reckless driving;
- Frank Brink II of Marion Center, who is charged with strangulation, simple assault, recklessly endangering, and harassment;
- Janelle Bartlebaugh of Indiana, who faces charges of possession of a controlled substance, plus possession of a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, and traffic offenses;
- Jeremy Clawson of Ernest, who’s charged with two counts of possession of a controlled substance, plus possession of drug paraphernalia and a small amount of marijuana;
- and Thomas Greene of Pittsburgh, who is charged with possession of a small amount of marijuana.
