SHAMOKIN - Three defendants pleaded guilty to charges Tuesday and were ordered by Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III to pay fines and costs.
- Justin Simmons, 29, of 29 N. Shamokin St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs. Additional charges of possession of Spice and public drunkenness were withdrawn.
Simmons was charged by Shamokin Cpl. Jarrod Scandle with attempting to enter a home at 32 N. Shamokin St. while intoxicated, which annoyed and alarmed the occupants. Police said the disturbance occurred at about 2 a.m. Nov. 22.
- Michael D. Benjamin Jr., 20, of 217 Main St., Shenandoah, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia and was ordered to pay a $300 fine plus costs and placed on supervised probation for one year. An additional charge of possession of bath salts and a small amount of marijuana was withdrawn.
Benjamin was charged by Coal Township Detective Jeff Brennan in connection with an incident in the parking lot at McDonald's on Route 61.
- Ryan A. Wagner, 36, of 325 S. Shamokin St., Shamokin, pleaded guilty to a summary offense of harassment and was ordered to pay a $250 fine plus costs. An additional charge of simple assault was withdrawn.
Wagner was charged by Shamokin Patrolman William Zalinski with choking his live-in girlfriend, Amber Pawelczyk, and throwing her to the ground, causing her to suffer abrasions on her neck and an open cut on her right elbow.
Police said the disturbance occurred Jan. 11 at 325 S. Shamokin St.