2 Luzerne residents given prison terms in Carbon
Two Luzerne County residents who previously pleaded guilty to criminal charges in unrelated cases, were sentenced to prison terms Thursday in Carbon County court.
Juanita Gonzalez, 39, of Hazleton, was sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika to serve a total of one day less one year to one day less two years in the county prison followed by two years of probation on two charges of criminal use of a communication facility.Glenn C. Schoch, 52, of Hazleton, was sentenced by Matika to serve four to 12 months in the county prison on a charge of escape.Drug saleGonzalez was arrested as the result of a controlled buy set up by Nesquehoning police and the county drug task force on Oct. 1, 2015. The sale was made in the parking lot of the Dollar General Store.Gonzalez has a prior criminal record involving drugs but denied an allegation that she and her husband were involved in a "gang" dealing in drug sales. She said she was not part of any type of gang.In addition to the jail term, Gonzalez was ordered to get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendation for treatment, zero tolerance for drug and alcohol use, supply an DNA sample and make restitution of $45 in the drug sale.She was given credit for 246 days spent in prison to date on the charges.Flees sceneSchoch was arrested on June 13, 2015, by Beaver Meadows police following a traffic stop. Police saw him driving along Broad Street and knew his license was under suspension. After he stopped his vehicle, Schoch fled into nearby woods. He was later found and arrested.Schoch also pleaded to driving under suspension-DUI related. He was sentenced to serve 30 to 60 days on that charge, but must serve the entire 60 days. The term runs concurrent with the escape charge. He was also fined $500.He was ordered to render 50 hours of community service when paroled and was granted work release privileges. He is entitled to credit, but that will have to be determined by the probation office, Matika ruled. Schoch is currently in prison on the charges.Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole or probation.