MOUNT CARMEL - The following hearings took place Wednesday before Magisterial District Judge Hugh Jones. Defendants ordered to appear for plea court Feb. 4 at Northumberland Courthouse, Sunbury, can plead guilty or no contest, or seek a trial by pleading not guilty.
n Joshua F. Hartman, 24, of Schuylkill Haven, waived to court charges of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance relating to an Aug. 8 traffic stop on Route 901 near Locust Gap.
The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Michael Pitcavage.
n Robert M. Rickert II, 22, of 330 S. Apple St., Mount Carmel, waived to court charges of possession with intent to deliver marijuana, LSD and "mushrooms," delivery of marijuana, LSD and "mushrooms," criminal use of a communication facility, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of marijuana, LSD and "mushrooms" relating to a Dec. 21 incident in the parking lot at Turkey Hill Minit Market at the intersection of Routes 61 and 54 in Strong.
The charges were filed by Ralpho Township Patrolman Chris Grow and Mount Carmel Township Patrolman David Stamets, who are members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force.
n Joshua F. Kemper, 22, of 111 W. Girard St., Atlas, waived to court charges of aggravated assault, simple assault, resisting arrest and stalking involving a Dec. 30 disturbance at his residence.
The charges were filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Daniel Politza.
Police said Kemper, who had been drinking, made several statements about wanting to kill himself and at one point, grabbed two razors and threatened to slice his wrists before being stopped by police and family members. Police reported Kemper later became more aggressive and placed a razor to his left forearm in an attempt cut himself and refused to drop the razor blades, prompting Mount Carmel Patrolman Justin Stelma to use a Taser gun on Kemper's chest, causing him to fall to the ground and strike his head off a wall.
After handcuffing Kemper, Stelma attempted to remove one of the Taser barbs from Kemper's chest, but the defendant head-butted the officer in the forehead and knocked him to the ground, police said.
Kemper was finally subdued by police and taken to Mount Carmel Township Police Station, where he continued to act unruly, police said.
Kemper also waived to court charges of possession of a small amount of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia filed by Mount Carmel Township Patrolman Kelly Campbell in connection with a Sept. 3 incident at his home.
