Police: Former firefighter admits to setting fire

A former Columbia County volunteer firefighter - already accused of stealing more than $70,000 worth of firefighting equipment - allegedly has admitted to setting a fire in a barn in Eldred Township last October, according to Cpl. Nicholas Loffredo, a state police fire marshal.

Colton Andrew Barrett, 19, of Orangeville, Columbia County, told investigators that he tossed a lit flare inside a barn at 3647 Northway Road during the early morning hours of Oct. 14.

Loffredo said a passerby spotted the fire and quickly put it out before any serious damage resulted.

Barrett, an inmate at the Columbia County Prison, was arraigned Thursday before District Judge Kenneth T. Schriner Jr. on charges of arson and criminal mischief. He remains incarcerated in lieu of an additional $35,000 bail.

Barrett was arrested late year and has been jailed since then on charges of stealing fire tools, radios and other equipment from volunteer fire companies in Columbia and Luzerne counties.

Loffredo said in an affidavit that Barrett has "given written confessions to setting numerous other fires."

Underage girl allegedly gave vodka to minors

JERSEY SHORE - A 19-year-old Cummings Township woman faces charges for furnishing alcohol to four other teenagers, including two boys ages 16 and 17 who became "highly intoxicated, according to borough police.

Angela R. Snyder of 1111 Creek Side Lane has been charged with four counts of furnishing alcohol to minors and two counts of corrupting the morals of a minor stemming from an early-morning incident on June 25, police said.

Police allege Snyder furnished vodka to the four teens, driving them around in her car until she stopped in the 600 block of Thompson Street, where one of the boys became ill.

Officers responded to the area to investigate a report of underage drinking and when they arrived, they found Snyder and the four other teens, police said. Although she had not been drinking, Snyder also was charged with underage drinking for allegedly possessing the vodka, police said. She has been sent a summons to appear before District Judge Jerry C. Lepley.

Teen is one of 3 people arrested in bike theft case

HUGHESVILLE - John L. Digitz, 19, of 1635 Route 442, Muncy Creek Township, has been arrested on charges of allegedly conspiring with two other people to steal four bicycles - three from the borough and one from Wolf Township - on Tuesday, according to borough Police Chief Richard Shearer.

Digitz and the two others also allegedly tried to steal a car from the 200 block of South Second Street on the same day. Three of the bicycles stolen in the borough have been recovered, but the one taken from 45 Boak Ave. in the township has not yet been found, Shearer said.

The owners of the stolen bikes have not been disclosed, and Shearer did not release where the thefts occurred. The identity of the car owner also was not released.

Digitz was arraigned Thursday before District Judge C. Roger McRae on charges of theft, receiving stolen property, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and conspiracy. He was released on $3,500 bail. One of those involved in the theft was a known local juvenile that Shearer was prohibited by law from identifying. It was unknown if the third suspect has been charged.

Drunk biker was carrying drugs, pills, police say

HUGHESVILLE - When Loyalsock Township resident Lawrence A. Johnson Jr. was stopped after his motorcycle ran a red traffic light in the borough, the 55-year-old man turned out not only to be allegedly intoxicated but also carrying a vial of cocaine and four Percocet pills without a prescription, borough police said.

Johnson's blood-alcohol content level was 0.13 when Patrolman Michael Palmeter stopped his cycle near Main and Water street about 9:50 p.m. June 6, police said. Johnson also was carrying a switchblade knife that was concealed in his right pants pocket, police said.

Charged with driving under the influence of intoxicants, possession of cocaine, illegal possession of Percocet, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a prohibitive offensive weapon, Johnson of 2010 Poco Farm Road has been sent a summons to appear before District C. Roger McRae.

Police: Intoxicated man caught with parents' stolen car

JERSEY SHORE - Two days after allegedly stealing his mother's car on May 11, Jesse J. Fox of Limestone Township was nabbed in New York state after he was caught driving the stolen vehicle while drunk, according to investigators.

Fox, who lives with his parents at 312 Little League Road, stole the car from the couple's home following an argument, state police said. He was caught in Allegany County on May 13 and immediately incarcerated in a county jail.

He was brought back here on July 15 and arraigned before District Judge Jerry C. Lepley on charges of theft and unauthorized use of motor vehicle. Initially committed to the Lycoming County Prison, he was released last week on $10,000 bail after waiving his preliminary hearing before Lepley.

Police: Man sold marijuana to officer

JERSEY SHORE - Ronald R. Shoop Jr., 20, of Salladasburg has been charged with allegedly selling a half a pound of marijuana to an undercover officer for $1,200 in the 400 block of Hazel Alley on May 4, according to the Lycoming County Drug Task Force.

Already jailed on a parole violation, Shoop was arraigned last week before District Judge Jerry C. Lepley on charges of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, delivery of marijuana, conspiracy and illegal use of a cell phone. He was recommitted to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $25,000 bail.

Woman allegedly aggravates city bar's customers

Deanna Annette Harris, 40, of 1001 Dewey Ave. has been charged by city police after a disturbance at Fredericks Tavern, 607 Arch St., in which she "scuffled with patrons and grabbed drinks" that did not belong to her, city police said.

Harris was taken into custody at the scene after she repeatedly ignored orders from the bartender to leave about 12:45 p.m. Thursday, police said. Following her arraignment before District Judge James G. Carn on charges of disorderly conduct and trespassing, Harris was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $7,500 bail.

Man accused of drug possession, fleeing from police

David Louis Henderson, 57, of 942 First St. has been charged with one count each of possession of cocaine and fleeing or attempting to elude police following an incident at Second and Maynard streets on March 9, according to state police.

He has been sent a summons to appear before District Judge Jerry C. Lepley.

Road rage episode ends with charges

A road rage episode has resulted in a South Williamsport man being charged with allegedly punching another man in the face in the 1900 block of East Third Street about 10:10 p.m. May 12, according to state police.

Motorist Jeffrey James Neyhart Jr., 20, of 1596 W. Southern Ave. allegedly punched another driver, Eric Cortright, in the face at a red light as the two were "engaged in mutual traffic violations," police said.

When Cortright locked his car door and rolled up his window, Neyhart began kicking and punching the vehicle, causing an estimated $1,100 damage, police said.

Neyhart was arraigned Monday before District Judge Kenneth T. Schriner Jr. on charges of simple assault, criminal mischief and harassment and released on $2,500 bail.

'Vulgar' messages land man in jail

MUNCY - A Wolf Township man has been jailed for repeatedly calling and leaving "vulgar messages" on his estranged wife's message machine, telling her he "wished she would die," borough police allege.

Jeffery Lew Fiester, 47, of 24 Michael Ave. called Stephanie L. Fiester at least eight times at her home at 409 S. Main St. on July 9, police said.

"I hate you. You're low life," he told her in one message. In another he said, "Go ahead and call my probation officer. That's right, I've been drinking. I'll sit in jail, I don't care."

Following his arraignment two days later before District Judge C. Roger McRae on a misdemeanor count of harassment, Fiester was committed to the Lycoming County Prison in lieu of $7,500 bail.

Woman accused of filing false report

Samantha Stugart, 21, of 706 First Ave. has been charged with false reports to law enforcement for allegedly filing a sexual assault complaint against her ex-boyfriend, Jeffrey Scott, that city police said was fabricated.

Stugart reported that Scott assaulted her in the 700 block of West Edwin Street on March 6, police said. It was later determined that the assault never happened, police said.

Following her arraignment before District Judge Allen P. Page III on July 10, Stugart was released on bail.

Teen pleads guilty to drug possession

Eugene Brown, 19, of 932 High St. pleaded guilty to city police charges of possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia before District Judge Allen P. Page III on July 10.

The charges stem from an incident at Park Avenue and Center Street on May 1, police said. Brown made arrangements to pay $594 in fines and court costs.

Woman sentenced for repeat unwarranted calls to police

WELLSBORO - Marlene S. Parthemer, 56, of 27 Robinson Drive, was sentenced Monday in Tioga County Court to four to 23 months in the Tioga County Prison for obstruction of administration of law and other government functions.

According to court documents, Parthemer also was sentenced to one year probation for harassment by communication to run concurrent with the first sentence and must pay a $500 fine plus court costs.

Records show she repeatedly contacted state police for no legitimate purpose between Jan. 23, 2007, and Nov. 30, 2007.

2 sentenced to special probation for DUI

WELLSBORO - Two people were sentenced to special probation for driving under the influence of intoxicants.

According to Tioga County Court documents, they are:

Darryl E. Root, 25, of Painted Post, N.Y., for 12 months with a 60-day driver's license suspension and $1,490 in fines and fees. He was charged by state police following a March 20 traffic stop on Route 287 in Lawrence Township.

Charles W. Cain, 58, of Middleton, for 12 months with a 60-day driver's license suspension and $1,786 in fines and fees. He was charged by state police following a traffic stop on River Road, Richmond Township on Nov. 1.