A Weissport man pleaded guilty in Carbon County court on Thursday to a threats count.

He was one of eight defendants in pending criminal cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Joseph J. Matika.

Franklin incident

Jonathan Andrew Rutman, 37, pleaded to one count each of terroristic threats and criminal mischief for an incident on Oct. 23, 2020, in Franklin Township. He sent repeated text messages to a former girlfriend despite being told to stop. He also was charged with damaging her vehicle.

He also pleaded to one count of flight to avoid apprehension for an incident on Feb. 5 also filed by Franklin Township police. Police observed Rutman along Long Run Road and attempted to serve a warrant on him, for the threats charge, and he fled. He was eventually taken into custody.

He is currently an inmate in the county prison on the charges.

He admitted to drug and mental health issues.

On the threats charge Matika sentenced him to time-served (34 days) to one year in jail and ordered he get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations, render 50 hours of community service, have no contact with the victim and supply a DNA sample. On the mischief charge he was fined $100.

On the flight to avoid apprehension he was placed on probation for a year, concurrent with the threats charge.

Other pleas

Anabel Ramirez, 27, of Hialeah, Florida, pleaded to one count of recklessly endangering another person. In exchange for the plea, a charge of endangering the welfare of a child was dropped in a plea deal.

She was charged for an incident on July 1, 2018, at Beltzville State Park. Her then 3-year-old child was found walking alone in a parking lot at the state park in danger of traffic in the lot.

She was placed on probation for a year and ordered to attend and successfully complete parenting classes and render 50 hours of community service.

Sean Alexander Polanco, 18, of Bethlehem, pleaded to one count each of indecent exposure and open lewdness. In exchange for the pleas, a charge of indecent assault was dropped in a plea deal.

He was charged by Kidder Township police on May 11 at the Lake Harmony Estates. Police said he made inappropriate contact with a female relative.

Matika placed him on probation for a year on each count, running concurrently, and ordered he get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations, render 50 hours of community service, supply a DNA sample and have no contact with the victim.

George Francis Fagan, 50, of Nesquehoning, pleaded to one count of obstruction in the administration of law. A charge of failure to register under the provisions of Megan’s Law as a sexual offender, a felony 3, was dropped in a plea deal with the district attorney’s office.

He was arrested by state police at Lehighton for not reporting the purchase of two vehicles, which is one of the requirements of the law.

Sentencing was deferred and a presentence investigation report was ordered prepared by the adult probation office.

John David Della-Vecchio, 62, of Palmerton, pleaded to one count each of driving under the influence and driving under suspension.

He was arrested on Jan. 28, 2020, by state police at Lehighton.

Sentencing was deferred.

Wayne Rennert Clark, 56, of Philadelphia, pleaded to one count of statement under penalty. A felony 3 charge of materially false written statement - purchase, delivery, transfer of firearm, was dropped in a plea deal.

He was charged for an incident on April 22, by Franklin Township police. He attempted to purchase a firearm at Buck’s Sporting Goods, on Indian Road, when he is prohibited from doing so. He made a false statement on the application concerning the purchase.

He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to render 50 hours of community service.

Jeffrey E. Neifert, 34, of New Ringgold, pleaded to a summary offense of unregistered vehicle. A charge of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle was dropped in a plea deal.

He was arrested on Feb. 7 by state police at Lehighton, along Rock Hill Road in Parryville, operating a tractor-trailer without a current registration.

He was fined $75 and costs.

Miguel Torres-Martinez, 27, of Hazleton, pleaded to a summary offense of disorderly conduct, which was added to the original complaint. Two drug counts - possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, were dropped in a plea deal.

He was arrested on Sept. 9, 2020, by Weatherly police along East Main Street.

Matika imposed a fine of $150.

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