A number of defendants faced drug-related charges for their preliminary hearings scheduled Aug. 7 before District Magisterial Judge Stephen Bayer, of Tamaqua. All but one elected to waive those hearings directly to the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.

Kenneth Rosario

, 18, of Scranton, was charged with felony counts of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, conspiracy to deliver a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of children, along with misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia and corruption of minors. The charges were filed by Rush Township patrolman Ryan Oldt in connection with an Aug. 1 incident.

Rosario is lodged in the Schuylkill County prison, Pottsville, in lieu of $50,000 percentage bail.

John Jeffries

, 59, of Barnesville, faces charges of driving under the influence of alcohol, careless driving and failure to keep right, filed by patrolman Oldt. A charge of reckless driving was withdrawn. The charges stem from a May 2 traffic stop.

Jeffries was released on his own recognizance.

Audalis Diaz

, 23, of Paterson, New Jersey, is charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, having improper suncreening and failure to obey the restrictions on alcohol. A charge of driving with a suspended license was withdrawn by arresting patrolman Steven Torres of the McAdoo Police. The charges were filed after a May 19 incident.

Diaz was released on his own recognizance.

Christina Petrosky

, 49, of Tamaqua, was charged with possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana by Rush Township patrolman Oldt. The charges are from a June 11 incident.

Petrosky was released on her own recognizance.

Michael Jacob Merenda

, 33, of McAdoo, failed to appear for his preliminary hearing. He was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, failure to obey a traffic control device and driving with a DUI suspended license. The charges stem from a May 26 incident and were field by McAdoo patrolman Steven Torres.

A warrant was issued for his arrest.