A Lehighton man pleaded guilty to an assault count on Tuesday in Carbon County court.

He was one of 10 defendants in pending criminal cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Steven R. Serfass.

Franklin incident

Russell L. Frankenfield, 53, pleaded to one count of simple assault for an incident on March 17, 2018, in Franklin Township. In exchange for the plea, another count of simple assault and charges of recklessly endangering and terroristic threats were dropped in a plea deal with the district attorney’s office.

Township police were dispatched to a dispute involving Frankenfield and a female. On scene officers observed marks on the female consistent with an assault.

At the beginning of the proceeding, Serfass questioned why the deadly weapon enhancement provision was not being sought by the commonwealth.

Assistant District Attorney Seth Miller, who is the prosecutor, said the commonwealth is proceeding on the case as an assault without a weapon and that the facts are that the defendant choked the victim.

Serfass noted the police report indicated a handgun was part of the incident and if the enhancement provision was invoked by the commonwealth, the sentencing guidelines would lead to a prison term.

Serfass accepted the plea but at the request of Frankenfield’s attorney, Jessica Miraglia, deferred sentencing to a later date.

Other pleas

Troy Allen Bryfogle, 57, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count each of driving under the influence, possession/sale/use display of documents and resisting arrest.

He was arrested on Jan. 19, 2018, by Lehighton police following a vehicle stop for an expired registration. A further investigation revealed the registration plate on the vehicle Bryfogle was driving belonged to a different vehicle, also there was an expired inspection sticker. Police then attempted to take Bryfogle into custody for DUI and he resisted the officers.

Sentencing was deferred so he can obtain a drug and alcohol evaluation, a presentence investigation report was ordered and he will apply for the house arrest program.

Jarrad Joseph Marsh, 21, of Bath, Northampton County, pleaded to one count of default in required appearance.

He was charged by the county sheriff when he failed to appear at the county prison to begin serving a sentence imposed by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II in November 2018 and which was to begin in February 2019.

Serfass sentenced him to time-served (16 days) to one year in jail and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

Marsh is currently an inmate in the county prison on the charge.

Michael Allen Keiper, 43, of Weissport, pleaded to one count of flight to avoid apprehension.

He was arrested on March 6, 2020, by county sheriff deputies in Weissport when they attempted to serve a warrant on him. He fled but later turned himself in to authorities. He is currently an inmate in the county prison on the charge.

Serfass sentenced him to time-served (78 days) to 18 months in prison and ordered him to render 75 hours of community service.

Jodi A. Palmer, 39, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of resisting arrest for an incident on Feb. 20 in Mahoning Township. Township police responded to a residence along Orioles Drive. On scene, they found Palmer, who had a warrant for her arrest. While taking her into custody, she refused to put her hands behind her back to be handcuffed and struggled with officers until they were able to handcuff her.

Serfass placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to render 100 hours of community service.

She is currently an inmate in the county prison serving a parole violation term of six months. Serfass said this sentence would run consecutive to the current prison term.

David Carl Parker Jr., 27, of Nesquehoning, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia with a charge of possession dropped in a plea deal.

He was arrested on March 18 by Nesquehoning police in the 700 block of East Railroad Street when police responded to a suspicious activity report. He was found in a vehicle with a female along with heroin.

Serfass placed him on probation for a year and ordered him to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment and render 50 hours of community service.

Parker is currently an inmate in the Monroe County prison on a pending criminal case.

Araphan Traore, 23, of Bronx, New York, pleaded to one count of disorderly conduct as a summary offense. The charge was added to the original complaint in which Traore was originally charged with 12 counts including theft, possession of an instrument of crime, access device fraud and unlawful device making equipment. He was arrested on Aug. 17, 2016, by Palmerton police at the Convenience Ford Mart parking lot along Delaware Avenue. Police responded to a report of a disturbance and found Traore in a vehicle.

Serfass imposed a fine of $300.

Jerel Daniel Graham, 35, of Lansford, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested on Oct. 6, 2020, by Lehighton police in the area of the Exxon station along Route 443. Police were dispatched to a report of suspicious activity. Police found illegal substances on Graham.

Sentencing was deferred and Serfass ordered a presentence investigation report be prepared by the adult probation office and also Graham will apply for the house arrest program.

Daniel Giniewski Jr., 23, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance.

He was arrested on Sept. 10, 2017, by Palmerton police. Police were dispatched to the borough park and found Giniewski in possession of methamphetamine.

Serfass sentenced him to time-served (48 days) to one year in jail and ordered he get a drug and alcohol evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.

Manuel Gerard Thomas, 28, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of a controlled substance with two felony counts of criminal conspiracy - possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and PWID dropped in a plea deal with the DA.

Sentencing was deferred so he can apply for the house arrest program.

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