CLARION, Pa (EYT) — While a sentencing day in a county court is always busy with dozens of defendants preparing to stand in front of Judge Arner to hear their punishment for crimes ranging from misdemeanor offenses to felonies, this Wednesday’s schedule at the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas includes several serious crimes.
A number of defendants are looking at considerable time behind bars when President Judge James Arner begins at 9:00 a.m. in Courtroom 1, and exploreClarion.com will be there to cover them.
The most serious offenders range from a man who raped an underaged victim to a woman who started a fire that destroyed part of an apartment building.
Here is a look at some of the major cases that will be presented today:
Rindahl was found guilty of the following charges on Thursday, August 30, following a jury trial at the Clarion County Courthouse:
– Rape of Child, Felony 1
– Statutory Sexual Assault: 11 Years Older, Felony 1
– Involuntary Deviate Sexual Intercourse with Child, Felony 1
– Indecent Assault Person Less than 13 Years of Age, Felony 3
According to a criminal complaint, the investigation began on November 6, 2016, when a juvenile victim reported to Franklin-based State Police that she was sexually assaulted by Rindahl at a residence on Sunny Road, in Lickingville, Washington Township.
In a forensic interview that occurred at the Children’s Home Society in Bartow, Florida, on December 13, 2016, the victim disclosed that she was visiting a family member at a private residence in Lickingville in late December 2013 at the time of the incident.
The 12-year-old victim said that she was left alone with Rindahl, and he began touching her in a sexual manner. She said she was scared to tell him to stop and that his actions then became more aggressive, according to the criminal complaint.
Rindahl then allegedly made an inappropriate comment to the girl before he continued to perform a sexual act on her, according to the criminal complaint.
Seidle pleaded guilty to one third-degree felony count of risking catastrophe, on Wednesday, September 5, which could carry a sentence of up to seven years in prison.
As a result of the plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed:
– Arson-Danger Of Death Or Bodily Injury, Felony 1
– Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
– Criminal Mischief/Damage Property Intent, Reckless, Or Negligent, Felony 3
– Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Misdemeanor 2 (two counts)
According to a criminal complaint, Seidle admitted to starting a fire in a North 4th Avenue apartment on Thursday, May 3, 2018, which then destroyed part of the apartment building.
Hanley pleaded guilty to second-degree misdemeanor charges of Simple Assault and Recklessly Endangering Another Person on September 5 in the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas.
As a result of the plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed:
- Aggravated Assault, Felony 1
- Aggravated Assault, Felony 2
- Resist Arrest/Other Law Enforce, Misdemeanor 2
According to a criminal complaint filed by Clarion-based State Police, around 9:36 a.m. on Saturday, February 10, a Pennsylvania State Constable requested state police assistance in serving a domestic relations warrant on Junior Hanley.
Hanley attempted to flee, and during the food pursuit, Hanley went down, dragging the constable over a six-foot wall. During the fall, the constable was injured, suffering a broken leg, a bruised elbow, and bleeding on the brain.
Hendricks pleaded guilty to one third-degree felony count of Criminal Trespass — Enter Structure on September 5 in the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas.
As a result of the plea agreement one second-degree misdemeanor count of Flight To Avoid Apprehension/Trial/Punishment was dismissed.
According to a criminal complaint, around 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 14, Chief William Peck arrived at a residence on Sheridan Road in Clarion Borough to serve a bench warrant on Justin Hendricks for failure to appear in court.
Hendricks jumped from a second story window on the north side of the residence and ran away on foot, leading police on a foot pursuit. During the pursuit, Hendricks attempted to enter an inhabited residence.
McNaughton pleaded guilty to one second-degree misdemeanor count of Simple Assault on September 5 in the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas.
As a result of the plea agreement, first-degree felony count of Aggravated Assault was dismissed.
According to a criminal complaint, McNaughton hit his girlfriend in the face on the left cheek and eye, causing swelling and bruising as well as some bleeding from the nose. The victim was later diagnosed with a fractured cheekbone required surgery.
Jacob pleaded guilty to one felony count of Manufacture, Delivery, of Possession with Intent to Deliver in one case on September 5 in the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas.
As a result of the plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed:
– Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, Felony
– Criminal Use Of Communication Facility, Felony 3
– Intentional Possession Controlled Substance By Person Not Registered, Misdemeanor (two counts)
– Use/Possession Of Drug Paraphernalia, Misdemeanor (two counts)
According to a criminal complaint, Jacob sold one gram of “molly” to a confidential informant on February 11, 2018, and sold four “8 balls” of cocaine (one-half ounce) to another confidential informant on March 8, 2018.
Jacob also pleaded guilty to one felony count of Manufacture, Delivery, of Possession with Intent to Deliver in another case on September 5 in the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas.
As a result of the plea agreement, one third-degree felony count of Criminal Use of a Communication Facility was dismissed.
According to a criminal complaint, Jacob sold a confidential informant one gram of “Molly,” commonly known as ecstasy, on November 1, 2017.
Golden pleaded guilty to one felony count of Possessing phenylpropanolamine, etc., or a precursor substance with intent to unlawfully manufacture on September 5 in the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas.
As a result of the plea agreement, one felony count of Conspiracy — Manufacture, Delivery, or Possession With Intent to Manufacture or Deliver, and one misdemeanor count of Knowingly possessing ephedrine were dismissed.
According to a criminal complaint, Golden was involved in the purchase of components for the manufacture of methamphetamine on January 25, 2018.
McKimie pleaded guilty to one first-degree misdemeanor count of Conspiracy Forgery on September 5 in the Clarion County Court of Common Pleas.
As a result of the plea agreement, the following charges were dismissed:
– Forgery — Unauthorized Act in Writing, Felony 2
– Theft by Deception-False Impression, Felony 3
– Theft by Unlawful Taking — Moveable Property, Felony 3
– Conspiracy — Theft by Unlawful Taking — Moveable Property, Felony 3
According to a criminal complaint, McKimie forged and cashed a check from a Harris Environmental checking account for $1,760.45 at a banking institution in New Bethlehem.
