SENTENCED TO STATE PRISON
Emporium man pleads guilty to burglary charges

A Cameron County man has been sentenced to at least two years in state prison after pleading guilty to two felony burglary charges Tuesday.

Judge Rich Masson sentenced Gregory G. Burdick, 22, to two consecutive terms of one to two years at the Western Penitentiary.

He was also ordered to pay more than $5,500 in restitution to Renee M. Henry, a fine of $500, and other fees in connection with a Lumber Township incident from last fall; as well as $240 in restitution to South Park Supply and another $500 fine as well as costs for a separate incident in Emporium Borough.

In other court action, Christine M. Young, 26, of Emporium was sentenced to three years in the intermediate punishment program (IPP) for selling a non-controlled substance in the Emporium Borough. She sold 10 pills to a confidential informant working for Emporium Borough Police in 2006.

Police Chief Rufus Jones explained that anytime a person sells a non-controlled substance as if it were a controlled substance, the same penalty applies as if selling the actual drug.

Judge Masson granted a request by District Attorney Paul Malizia to use house arrest and IPP for Young, since she has young children at home. She'll also pay a $500 fine, prosecution fees and other costs, and she must continue to pursue a Graduation Equivalency Diploma and participate in a drug and alcohol abuse treatment program.

An Emporium man barely flew under the radar for mandatory state time when he was sentenced for his third charge of driving under the influence of alcohol. Casey S. Ullman, 28, was instead placed into IPP for five years.

According to state guidelines, people who are convicted of their third DUI with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of .16 or higher must spend at least one year in state prison and pay a $2,500 fine.

Ullman, whose BAC was at .159, will spend 90 days in jail before he starts doing his weekend time. He must also pay a fine of $1,500 and prosecution fees, surrender his driver's license for 18 months, participate in drug and alcohol treatment and perform 35 hours of community service.

Clifford E. Akins, 19, of Emporium was sentenced for stealing money from the cash register of his employer, South Park Supply, last summer. Store owners, who are related to the defendant, estimated the thefts totaled upwards of $15,000.

He was ordered to serve a 12-month term of probation, pay a $300 fine, pay restitution of $65, pay prosecution fees of $330.50, and apologize to the victims.

Angel K. Banks, 28, of Emporium was sentenced for theft of services after she stopped payment on a check for towing services from Ramsey's Garage. She must pay $95 in restitution, a $300 fine and prosecution fees, plus serve a year of probation and pursue a GED.

Jay D. Ball, 28, of Cameron County was sentenced to 12 months probation and over $500 in fines and fees for making false reports to police officers. Ball reported to Emporiumbased state police that his prescription pain medications had been stolen.

Thomas M. Lipinski, 28, of Emporium, was granted time served for his incarceration on simple assault charges and is now eligible for parole. He must pay $330 in prosecution fees and comply with mental health treatment recommendations.

Three cases are headed for jury trials next Tuesday. Defendants are Diana R. Reed, Robert J. Macmillan and William A. Putt.