A Monroe County man was sentenced on Friday to a Carbon County prison term after previously pleading guilty to a charge of aggravated assault by vehicle.

He was one of four defendants who previously entered guilty pleas who were sentenced by Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Preston Alan Wolbert,

22, of East Stroudsburg, was sentenced to serve three to 23 months in the county prison. On a charge of recklessly endangering another person he was placed on probation for 23 months. The terms run concurrently.

In exchange for the plea the district attorney’s office dropped a more serious charge of aggravated assault by vehicle while driving under the influence, a felony 2, as well as counts of DUI and four summary motor vehicle code violations. It was indicated at the guilty plea proceeding that the DA’s office was unable to prove the DUI charges.

The crash occurred at Route 443 and Mill Road in Mahoning Township on July 27, 2018. A male passenger in the vehicle suffered injuries and was taken to the Lehigh Valley Hospital, Cedar Crest.

Wolbert told the court, “I would like to apologize for my actions and take responsibility.”

The victim, now 21, said he still suffers from the injuries he sustained in the crash and said he was out of work for a year. He also the defendant never contacted him after the crash. He still continues receiving treatment.

Matika told Wolbert, “You made a grave mistake when you got behind the wheel that morning. Fortunately, the victim is still alive.”

In addition to the jail term Matika ordered Wolbert to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, render 100 hours of community service when paroled, supply a DNA sample and was granted work release privileges.

He begins the jail term on Sept. 25 at 6 p.m.

Three cases

Joshua Romanishan,

41, of Wind Gap, was sentenced in three cases on one count of hindering apprehension and two counts of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Matika placed him on probation for a year on the hindering count, and one year each on the drug charges. The probation terms on the drug charges run concurrent to each other but consecutive to the hindering for a total of 2 years probation. On a summary offense of driving under suspension, he was fined $200.

He was arrested on the first paraphernalia charge and suspension count of Nov. 12, 2018, by state police at Lehighton along Route 248 at State Road in Franklin Township. A possession of a controlled substance charge was dropped in a plea deal.

The second paraphernalia charge occurred on April 18, 2018, filed by Lansford police for an incident along East Ridge Street.

The hindering charge occurred on Oct. 24, 2017, in Lansford in the area of the Family Dollar Store along East Patterson Street. In that case, felony counts of retail theft, criminal attempt and criminal conspiracy were dropped in a plea deal with the DA.

Romanishan was also ordered to get a drug and alcohol evaluation, enter 50 hours of community service and supply a DNA sample.

Romanishan is currently in the Northampton County prison on other criminal counts.

Other cases

Jessica Marie Snisky,

23, of Nesquehoning, was placed on probation for a year on a charge of possession of a controlled substance, heroin. She was arrested on July 26, 2018, by Nesquehoning police in the 200 block of Center Street.

Since her arrest she had successfully completed a long-term drug inpatient rehabilitation program and continues intensive outpatient counseling. She was also ordered to render 50 hours of community service and get a drug and alcohol evaluation.

Caleb Seth Montanero,

35, of Hazleton, entered a guilty plea to one count of possession of a small amount of marijuana. He was arrested on July 24, 2019, by state police at Hazleton following a traffic stop.

He was fined $150.

Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000 and a $50 per month supervision fee while on parole or probation.