Central Court

The following defendant saw the charges against him sent to the higher court at Wednesday’s Central Court:

Wade A. Bollinger, 38, of East Freedom, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, a small amount of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and summary traffic offenses on April 4. State police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Bollinger at the intersection of State Route 56 and Hillside Drive in East St. Clair Township on March 21. Police said the odor of marijuana was detected emanating from the inside of the vehicle. Bollinger reportedly told police there was a pipe in the vehicle. A consensual search reportedly returned suspected hydrocodone, gabapentin, THC wax, a grinder, four smoking devices, a glass-snorting device and a glass with a wooden frame with residue.

The following defendants waived their right to a preliminary hearing.

Harry I. Beckner III, 23, of Clearville, was charged with DUI and summary traffic offenses on May 24. State police assisted Everett Borough police with a traffic stop along State Street on April 16 around 2:30 a.m. Police said a strong odor of alcoholic beverage was detected emanating from Beckner’s breath. A preliminary breath test returned the presence of alcohol. A blood test reportedly indicated a BAC of 0.122%. Bail was set at $5,000 unsecured.

Jennifer A. Johnston, 42, of Augusta, Ga., was charged with two counts of DUI and summary traffic offenses on Feb. 24. State police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Johnston on Dec. 31 around 1 a.m. along the Lincoln Highway in Snake Spring Township. Police said Johnston’s eyes were sluggish and barely open. Police said there were prescription bottles visible in her purse. Standardized field sobriety tests returned signs of impairment, according to police. A blood test reportedly returned positive results for Amphetamine, Benzoylecgonine and marijuana. Bail was set at $5,000 unsecured.

Jessica L. Markovich, 42, of Portage, was charged with four counts of DUI on March 20. State police responded to a two-vehicle crash with one of the operators suspected to be under the influence near the intersection of Blue Knob State Park Road and Little Valley Road in Pavia Township. Police said a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage was emanating from Marko- vich’s person. Markovich reportedly made an excited utterance that she was “so drunk”, according to police. Signs of impairment were reportedly detected during field sobriety tests. A blood test returned a BAC of 0.238% and the presence of Benzoylecgonine, according to police. Bail was set at $5,000 straight.

Kendra Deter, of Saxton, was charged with bad checks on May 19. SAC Inc said in a private criminal complaint that Deter provided two checks that did not clear on Feb. 28 and March 2 for a total of $2,705. Bail was set at $2,500 unsecured.

Kyle A. Merkel, 32, of Buffalo Mills, was charged with a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia on Jan. 27. State police initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle operated by Merkel on Dec. 28. Police said there were multiple different pills, a smoking pipe and a smoking device found on Merkel’s person. Bail was set at $15,000 straight. Merkel was also charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia on July 28. State police responded to a residence along Stringtown Hollow Road in Londonderry Township for a separate incident when information revealed Merkel had active warrants for his arrest. Police said a search of Merkel’s person returned three containers with suspected methamphetamine. Bail was set at $15,000 straight.

Michael E. Golembeski, 39, of Everett, was charged with possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia on July 27. Everett Borough Police responded to a residence along North Spring Street and made contact with Golembeski. Golembeski had an active warrant. A search of Golembeski’s person returned a bag of plastic spoons, four needles and a small amount of crystal substance in a baggie. Golembeski reportedly informed police it was methamphetamine. Bail was set at $7,500 straight.

Ronald J. Kagarise, 37, of Everett, firearms not to be carried, recklessly endangering another person and simple assault on July 11. State police responded to a bar along Main Street in Manns Choice Borough on July 10 for a reported fight, Police said the alleged victim and witnesses said Kagarise was in a verbal altercation with the alleged victim when he pulled out a concealed firearm and pointed it at the alleged victim. The alleged victim reportedly began to wrestle with Kagarise for the firearm. The witnesses pinned down Kagarise’s arm and pried the firearm out of his hand, according to police. Police said Kagarise walked into the woods behind the bar and dropped an extra magazine before exiting the woods, eventually. Police said the firearm was cleared at the scene and had a round chambered. Kagarise reportedly does not have a concealed carry permit. Bail was set at $15,000 and has been posted.

Thomas E. Houge, 32, of Bedford, was charged with aggravated assault on Oct. 6. State police received an incident report from the Bedford County jail on Aug. 7, 2022. A nurse was reportedly conducting a med pass when Houge reportedly yelled at the nurse and reportedly refused to let go of the nurse’s arm and she had to forcefully pull her arm out of his hand. Bail was set at $15,000 straight.

Travis S. Kurtz, 44, of Crystal Spring, was charged with retail theft, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. State police were dispatched to a store in Bedford Square in Snake Spring Township on June 1 for the report of a man in possession of unboxed items from the store. Police said Kurtz admitted to taking items from the sore and that they were inside a bag in his possession. The bag reportedly held several items from the store. While police took Kurtz into custody a glassine baggie reportedly fell out of his pockets. Another baggie was reportedly found on Kurtz’s person containing suspected methamphetamine. Bail was set at $7,500.

The following defendants entered guilty pleas:

Daniel G. Sweitzer, 41, of Bedford, had charges of simple assault and summary harassment withdrawn. He pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia.

Elizabeth A. Dively, 21, of Bedford, had charges of simple assault and summary harassment withdrawn. She pleaded guilty to summary disorderly conduct.

Larry E. Showalter III, 23, of Manns Choice, had charges of fleeing law enforcement and summary traffic offenses withdrawn. He pleaded guilty to summary traffic offenses.

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Considerable cloudiness. High 84F. Winds light and variable..

Mainly cloudy. Low 62F. Winds light and variable.

Updated: August 5, 2023 @ 1:06 am

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