MERCER COUNTY Sentencings

February 3, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

Judges from Mercer County Common Pleas Court sentenced several people to either jail terms or probation last week:

James Harshbarger, 22, of West Market Street, Mercer, sentenced to 14 days to 23 months in the Mercer County Jail for firearms not to be carried without a license and criminal mischief. Court documents state Harshbarger was apprehended April 16, 2007, with a loaded .38-caliber revolver and ammunition in a vehicle at his residence. On the same day, he cut the valve stems off the rear wheels, deflating the rear tires on another person’s automobile.

Pamela Howard, 36, of West State Street, Sharon, placed on one-year probation for theft by unlawful taking. On Feb. 18, 2007, according to court documents, Howard took $40 cash from a 79-year-old woman’s purse while visiting the victim’s apartment.

Richard O’Hara, 57, an inmate at the State Regional Correctional Facility in Mercer, sentenced to one to two years in the state penitentiary for misdemeanor escape. Court documents state that O’Hara failed to return from a furlough granted him from Sharon Community Corrections Center, 300 W. State St., Sharon, on Jan. 18, 2007, where he was serving a sentence for burglary.

Arthur Pate III, 39, of Pennsylvania Avenue, Farrell, sentenced to six to 24 months in the state penitentiary for misdemeanor escape and disorderly conduct. Court documents state that Pate was being arraigned Aug. 2, 2007, on criminal charges and a parole detainer at the offices of District Justice James McMahon, 1217 Hall Ave., Sharon, when he fled Sharon police officers. He also gave officers a false name when they told him he was the subject of an official investigation.

Andrew Shaffer, 19, of Mill Street, Fredonia, sentenced to one to two years in the Mercer County Jail followed by four years’ probation for recklessly endangering another person and resisting arrest. He was given credit for serving 65 days. Court documents state that on July 22, 2006, he fled police officers who were trying to arrest him at a South Maysville Road, Pymatuning Township, address. A Greenville-West Salem Police officer tackled him and injured his knee in the incident. Shaffer also wielded a shotgun and threatened to shoot himself and another man, then led police on an hourlong foot pursuit the same day.

Jesse Underwood, 20, of College Avenue, Grove City, placed on two years’ probation for recklessly endangering another person. Court documents state that on Sept. 13, 2006, Underwood set off a homemade pipe bomb while sitting in a motor vehicle belonging to a 17-year-old boy, placing the youth in danger of death or serious injury. The incident occurred on Airport Road, Liberty Township. The bomb exploded when he lighted it, seriously injuring Underwood’s hands, court documents state.

James Vechnak, 29, of Sandy Lake-New Lebanon Road, Sandy Lake, sentenced to one to two months in the Mercer County Jail followed by two years’ probation for access device fraud. Court documents state that Vechnak, who was an employee of the BP service station, 201 W. Main St., Grove City, activated 42 gift cards valued at $2,950 without paying and used them as his own in January and February of 2007.

Christopher Dingess, 34, of Chapmanville, W.Va., sentenced to three years in prison followed by seven years’ probation for aggravated indecent assault. He was ordered to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life. Court documents state that between January and December 2002, he used his finger to commit a sex act on a 9-year-old girl at a Pymatuning Township residence.

Michael Gault, 50, of Mehard Avenue, Greenville, sentenced to four to 18 months in Mercer County Jail and ordered to perform 200 hours of community service for one consolidated count of acquisition or obtaining possession of a controlled substance. Court documents state that on May 23, 2005, he pretended to be a physician and called a prescription for Hydrocodone, a controlled substance, to the Wal-Mart Pharmacy, 45 Williamson Road, Hempfield Township. He then picked up the drug and paid for it.

Robert Little, 36, formerly of South Center Street, Grove City, and now serving a sentence at the State Regional Correctional Facility in Mercer, sentenced to six months to two years in prison for unauthorized use of an automobile.

Mandi Hicks, 27, formerly of East Valcourt, Grove City, sentenced to the time she has already served, placed on 18 months’ probation and ordered to make restitution for bad checks. Court documents state Hicks passed a bad check May 31, 2007, for $350 to Xpress Auto Sales, 3252 N. Hermitage Road, South Pymatuning Township.

Candace Mays, 30, of Tenth Street, Bessemer, placed on two years’ probation and ordered to make restitution for misdemeanor forgery. Court documents state Mays forged and passed five checks on another person’s account totaling $630 between January and June 2007, in various locations in Mercer County.

Randolph Scott II, 19, of the State Correctional Facility in Indiana, Pa., sentenced to two to 24 to 42 months for felony escape. Court documents state that on May 13, 2007, he escaped custody when he was allowed outside to smoke at Sharon Community Corrections, 300 W. State St., Sharon, where he was serving a sentence for robbery.