Numerous defendants opted to waive their hearings to the court level, three failed to appear and several had charges against them withdrawn in District Judge Stephen Bayer's magisterial court in Tamaqua.

One defendant who elected to have a preliminary hearing was James P. Weeks Jr., 19, of 75 Jones St., Tamaqua R.D. Weeks faced numerous charges, filed by Rush Township Police Sgt. Duane Frederick after a Feb. 22 domestic incident. As a result of the hearing three charges were dismissed: two counts of making terroristic threats and a charge of criminal mischief. All of the other charges were bound over for trial in Schuylkill County Court, including two counts each of simple assault, reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and harassment.He was released on $25,000 unsecured bail.Tyrell James Rucker, 24, of 12 S. Greenwood St., Tamaqua, waived a hearing on charges of making false reports of an incident that didn't happen. The charges were filed by Tamaqua patrolman Thomas Rodgers after a May 26 incident. Rucker claimed he had been stabbed by an unknown male while taking a walk. A review of video surveillance from the area of the alleged attack didn't have any footage of an attack, or of Rucker being in the area.He was released on his own recognizance.Welfran Terrero, 19, of 222 Alan St., West Hazleton, waived a hearing on charges of driving under the influence of alcohol while a charge of careless driving was withdrawn. The charges stem from an Oct. 31, 2014, incident in McAdoo and were filed by patrolman William Curilla.He was released on his own recognizance.Megan Welsh, 22, of 35 E. Ridge St., Lansford, waived a hearing on charges filed by Coaldale patrolman Joseph David after a traffic stop on Feb. 21. Charges include driving under the influence of alcohol, failure to keep right, disregard of the single traffic lane and careless driving. Her blood alcohol content was determined to be 0.208 percent through blood tests done at St. Luke's Hospital-Miners Campus, Coaldale.She was released on her own recognizance.No-showsSean Michael Clemens, 22, of Myerstown, Lebanon County, failed to appear in court on charges related to two incidents. In the first case, from June 29, 2014, he was charged with driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of marijuana, possession of drug paraphernalia, violating restrictions on alcohol and failure to use the required turning signals/movements. Those charges were filed by Curilla.The second set of charges were filed by Rush Township patrolman Alexander Kosatschkow related to a Sept. 25, 2014, incident. Those charges include driving under the influence of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of marijuana and failure to heed traffic signals.All of the charges were bound over for county court and a warrant was issued for Clemens' arrest.Jonathan Vasiliou, 31, of 213 W. Kline Ave., Lansford, missed his preliminary hearing on a charge of theft of leased property. The charge was filed by Rush Township patrolman Lucas Fox after a May 11 incident.A warrant was issued for his arrest.Charges withdrawnCharges were withdrawn for the following defendants:Krystle Lee Ketchledge, 24, of 227 Lafayette St., Tamaqua, charged with retail theft by Tamaqua patrolman Karl Harig.Drew Alan Strohl, 54, of 52 E. Howard Ave., Coaldale, charged with simple assault and harassment by Coaldale patrolman Joseph Krebs.Anthony D'Alonzo, 47, of 19 Market St., Tamaqua, charged with simple assault, harassment and disorderly conduct by Tamaqua patrolman Michael Hobbs.William John Hartman, 27, of 92 Hetrick Road, Bernville, and Amanda D. Stillwagon, 28, of 1028 E. Main St., Weatherly, both charged with simple assault and harassment by Rush Township patrolman Brigdon Odhner.