A Gilberton man arrested by Coaldale Police on sexual assault charges in 2013 had his preliminary hearing before District Judge Stephen Bayer on Tuesday, with the most serious charges being withdrawn.

Edwin Ronald Phillips, 34, of 137 Main St., waived charges of endangering the welfare of children and corruption of minors to Schuylkill County Court. Charges of rape of a child, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with a child and indecent assault on a minor younger than 13 were all withdrawn. The charges stem from a Nov. 10, 2013, incident and were filed by patrolman Todd Weiss.Phillips remains free on $15,000 bail.With the exception of one defendant who failed to appear for his hearing, everyone else scheduled for Tuesday's hearings elected to waive their rights.Jacquan E. Pankey, 20, of 512 N. Main St., Wilkes-Barre, didn't attend his hearing on charges of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, driving under the influence of a controlled substance and distribution of marijuana. The charges were filed by Rush Township Police Sgt. Duane Frederick following an April 9 incident.Released on $25,000 percentage bail after his arraignment, a warrant could now be issued for his arrest.Joshua Robert Huegel, 32, was charged with fleeing/attempting to elude police, failure to stop at a red light and driving at an unsafe speed by Tamaqua patrolman Corey Herring. The charges stem from a Nov. 7 incident.Bail was set at $5,000, 10 percent.Naomi Ellison, 32, of Quakertown, was charged with endangering the welfare of children following a Dec. 8 incident in Tamaqua. The charges were filed by patrolman Richard Bekesy.She was released on her own recognizance.Cory Lynn Matalavage, 34, of 335 W. Rowe St., Tamaqua, faces charges of criminal trespass and two counts of defiant trespass. She was charged by Tamaqua patrolman Thomas Rodgers after a Nov. 28 incident.She remains in the county prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.Jeremy Earl Plasko, 37, of 1 Gary Road, Tamaqua, had hearings scheduled in two incidents. He was charged with defiant trespass and disorderly conduct by Tamaqua patrolman Christopher Cruz after a May 11 incident. He was also charged by Tamaqua patrolman Herring with criminal trespass, defiant trespass, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance. Those charges were from an Aug. 22 incident.Plasko was released on unsecured bail, $10,000 for the May charges and $5,000 for the August charges.Lonnie G. Timmons Jr., 48, of Nanticoke, was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol (two counts) by Trooper Thomas Powell of the Frackville barracks. The charges stem from a July 19 incident.He was released on his own recognizance.Ronny Marcelino of Shenandoah was charged with being a public nuisance after a Dec. 9 incident in McAdoo. Patrolman Anthony Divirgilio was the arresting officer.He was released on his own recognizance.Lucas Leroy Coxe, 42, of 1106 N. Lehigh Gorge, Weatherly, will be in county court on charges of driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a license. The charges were filed by Rush Township patrolman Jeffrey Tanner after a July 1 incident.He was released on his own recognizance.