A number of defendants with scheduled preliminary hearings on July 11 before District Magisterial Judge Stephen Bayer decided to waive those hearings and instead have their charges taken directly to the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.

Kristopher Green, 34, of Palmerton, faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol stemming from an incident on April 8. The charges were filed by Rush Township Patrolman Frederick Lahovski.Green was released on his own recognizance.Lisbeth Alicea Mendez, 21, of Philadelphia was charged by Patrolman Lahovski, while he was working for the McAdoo Police Department on May 28. The charges included aggravated and simple assault, which were withdrawn, and resisting arrest and disorderly conduct.She was released after posting $30,000 bond.Brian Wayne Niece, 46, of Rush Township, was charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, harassment and resisting arrest after a June 30 incident. The charges were filed by Rush Township Patrolman Ryan Oldt.Niece was also charged with simple assault and harassment on June 30 by Patrolman Oldt.He was released after posting $50,000 percentage bail.James A. Neff, 63, of Lehighton, was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, reckless driving, careless driving and driving with a suspended license. The charges were filed by Rush Township Patrolman Oldt after a May 28 incident.Neff was released on his own recognizance.Jean Matweecha, 58, of McAdoo, was cited for DUI, reckless driving and careless driving after an incident on Dec. 23, 2016. The charges were filed by Rush Patrolman Oldt.Matweecha was released on her own recognizance.Tucker Kuhlmann, 19, of Allentown, faces charges of possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia after a Feb. 22 incident. The charges were filed by McAdoo Patrolman William Curilla.Kuhlmann was released on his own recognizance.Robin Erney, 25, of Tamaqua was charged with simple assault and harassment after a May 22 incident. The charges were filed by Tamaqua Cpl. Henry Woods.Erney was released on her own recognizance.William J. Evanco, 28, of McAdoo was charged with three counts of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The charges stem from a May 29 incident and were filed by McAdoo Patrolman Lahovski.Evanco was released on his own recognizance.John D. Krell, 45, of Hazleton was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia after a June 2 incident. The charges were filed by Patrolman Lahovski while he was working for Kline Township.Krell was released on his own recognizance.