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Bail revoked in Schuylkill fatal drug case

The day after he was freed on bail, a Barnesville man charged in the 2016 overdose death of a Tamaqua woman sat in his car in front of the victim’s house, pointing his finger at her father.

On Friday, Schuylkill County Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin revoked Kyle J. Merenda’s bail, returning him to jail to await further court action by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office.

John Sienkiewicz, the father of the late Alexandria “Alex” Sienkiewicz, who died of an overdose in April 2016, said Merenda, who had been charged by Hazleton police with another drug offense on Jan. 12, was across from his house on Jan. 14, the day after being released on bail.

Sienkiewicz notified the Schuylkill County district attorney’s office.

Dolbin considered Merenda’s most recent charges and his presence at the Sienkiewicz’s house before revoking his bail.

Hazleton police on Jan. 12 charged Merenda with three felony counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver and one misdemeanor count each of possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

He was released from Luzerne County jail Jan. 13 after posting a percentage of his $50,000 bail.

State police at Frackville on May 25, 2016, filed charges of drug delivery resulting in death, delivery of a controlled substance, dealing in unlawful activity, criminal use of a communication facility and possession of a controlled substance against Merenda in the death of Alex Sienkiewicz.

He was released from Schuylkill County Prison on March 22, 2017, after posting $20,000 bail.

His defense lawyer, Jeffrey M. Markosky, on Friday told Dolbin he can no longer represent Merenda because he is now representing two others in the same case.

Merenda will be represented by court-appointed defense lawyer Hank J. Clarke.

Because former chief public defender Michael J. Stine, who represented one of Merenda’s co-defendants in the Sienkiewicz case is now first assistant district attorney, the case is now being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Rebecca Elo.

Jonathan J. Seekins, 34, of Coaldale, and Melanie L. Kropp, 25, of Mahanoy City, are also charged in Sienkiewicz’ death on April 2, 2016.

Seekins and Kropp remain free on bail. Kropp’s lawyer, Joseph P. Nahas, said Friday his client is still in a drug rehabilitation program on Florida.

Kyle Merenda leaves the hearing. CHRIS PARKER/SPECIAL TO THE TIMES NEWS