Several sentenced to jail
Cameron County court proceedings

An Emporium teenager charged with burglarizing Fansteel AST in the borough was sentenced to a jail term and ordered to pay a fine and restitution.

Judge Richard Masson sentenced Nicholas Uber, 19, to a term of six to 24 months. He was also ordered to pay $5,285 in restitution, as well as $500 in fines and court fees. Additionally, Uber must undergo a 28-day inpatient substance abuse program.

Uber asked the judge for leniency, stating that the charges "make me seem like a bad person, (but) that's not me."

In response, Masson posed the question, "Well, who was it then?" Uber is currently serving time in McKean County Prison.

In other court action, 26- year-old Andrew J. Green of Emporium faces a two-year term in Albion State Prison, following his third DUI arrest.

Cameron County District Attorney Tommy Tompkins recommended that Green serve his sentence in a local prison. "Mr. Green is a decent person, but he has a demon -- alcohol," the D.A. said.

But Judge Masson said he believed the state facility offers better aid in overcoming alcoholism. He also cited space limitations at the local lockups.

Green must also pay $2,500 in fines and court fees and surrender his drivers' license for 18 months.

Substance abuse was also a factor in Judge Masson's sentencing of 39-year-old Duane E. Morton of Emporium on a simple assault charge. The victim asked for stiffer penalties. However, Masson cited a clean criminal record as well as Morton's recent drug and alcohol counseling. The defendant was sentenced to one to 18 months' incarceration. He was also ordered to have no contact with the victim, to avoid alcohol and to refrain from entering any establishment serving alcohol.

Another repeat DUI offender, Scott D. Belin, 33, of Emporium, was sentenced by Masson after his guilty plea. He'll spend one to six months in jail, pay $750 in fines and court fees, and perform 35 hours of community service.

Belin also must surrender his license for a year, attend Alcohol Highway Safety School and pay $100 to the Substance Abuse Fund. Belin already replaced property he damaged when he was pulled over by a state trooper.

In other recent court action:

--Brian G. Hastings, 20, of Emporium was sentenced for a reduced charge of criminal mischief. He was fined $100 plus court costs, and was given 90 days' probation.

--Danielle M. Aikens, 23, entered a guilty plea to serving minors. Judge Masson imposed the mandatory sentence of a $1,000 fine, plus court costs and 35 hours of community service.

--Carol L. Copp will be sentenced later following a guilty plea to stealing two checks from a Cameron County woman, forging the owner's signature and cashing the checks.

--Elijah E. Lewis pleaded guilty to several charges related to a theft occurring in August. Lewis and two other conspirators stole $12,000 in cash from an Emporium residence. He was also found to be in possession of a small amount of marijuana and pleaded guilty to that charge, as well. He'll be sentenced at a later date. Guilty plea in

heroin case

A Pittsburgh man accused of dealing heroin from two motels near Emporium last summer will serve time in prison and pay a fine.

Under terms of a plea agreement between Cameron County District Attorney Tommy Tompkins and defense lawyer George Daghir, 31- year-old Taru Farmer admitted to possession of heroin with intent to distribute.

Judge Richard Masson sentenced Farmer to a term of two to five years in prison, as well as a $500 fine and $1,563 in restitution.

State police who arrested Farmer in July 2006 confiscated more than $400 in cash. That money will be put toward his penalties.

He was originally charged wth possession of heroin, cocaine and marijuana.