Oct 21, 2014 3 min read

Several criminal defendants pleaded guilty last week before Greene County Judge Farley Toothman. They include the following:

John Edward Grow, 25, of 154 2nd Ave., Waynesburg; offenses – theft by unlawful taking, receiving stolen property, criminal attempt to commit theft, criminal mischief and retail theft; charges stem from incidents March 11, March 19 and April 11; sentence – two years of supervised probation, 50 hours of community service and restitution.

Nicholas Ryan Garber, 25, of 300 Beechurst Road, Morgantown, W.Va.; offenses – driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) second offense, DUI incapable of safe driving, and two summary traffic violations. Garber was arrested Sept. 15, 2013, in the parking lot of the Sheetz store in Franklin Township when he was found semi-conscious inside his vehicle. His blood-alcohol content was determined to be 0.300 percent; sentence – completion of a presentence investigation.

John Christopher Barno, 43, of 313 Moffit Road, Dilliner; offense – unsworn falsification to authorities. Barno was charged after he attempted to purchase a firearm at the Dry Tavern True Value Hardware Store; records showed he had prior convictions for forgery, theft by unlawful taking or deception and driving under the influence of alcohol; sentence – one year of supervised probation, 50 hours of community service and $1,000 in fines plus court costs and fees.

Shane Lapana, 40, of 1774 state Route 88, Greensboro; offenses – driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI incapable of safe driving, possession of drug paraphernalia and four summary traffic violations; arrested July 1 after being pulled over in Cumberland Township following a domestic dispute. His blood-alcohol content was 0.223 percent; sentence – 72 hours to six months in jail, 50 hours of community service, $1,500 in fines plus court costs and fees. Sentence deferred to Nov. 3.

Theresa A. Eddy, 41, of 117 Elks Alley, Brave; offense – fraud/obtaining food stamps unlawfully. Eddy was charged when it was discovered her daughter, who was listed on Eddy’s application and subsequent reporting documents, was employed when assistance was received; sentence – 7 years probation, restitution of $14,115 to the Department of Public Welfare, 225 hours of community service, $500 in fines plus court costs and fees.

William Henry Howes, 35, of 652 Lippincott Road, Waynesburg; offenses – driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI incapable of safe driving and five summary traffic violations. Howes was arrested on May 10 following a one-vehicle accident in Jefferson Township. His blood-alcohol content was 0.300 percent; sentence – 72 hours to 6 months incarceration, 175 hours of community service and $1,400 in fines.

Stephen Paul Austin, 50, 1553 Big Shannon Run Road, Waynesburg; offenses – driving under the influence of alcohol incapable of safe driving third or subsequent offense, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. A charge of endangering the welfare of a child was withdrawn. Austin was arrested after police were called to the Hardees Restaurant in Waynesburg for a man driving around its parking lot with a juvenile passenger and a flat tire. He was taken to Southwest Regional Medical Center for a blood-alcohol, which he refused, resulting in an automatic one-year driver’s license suspension; sentence – 1 year and 90 days to 5 years in jail consecutive to a sentence from Fayette County with credit for 84 days served.

Justin Lloyd Conard, 30, of 25 Route 21 MHP, Carmichaels; offenses – driving under the influence of alcohol, DUI incapable of safe driving and one summary traffic violation. Conard was arrested Jan. 1 in the parking lot of the Circle K convenience store in Carmichaels Borough. State police said Conard’s vehicle was weaving and crossing into the oncoming lane of traffic; sentence – 48 hours to 6 months in jail and $500 in fines.