timesleader.com
WILKES-BARRE – A city man charged with having a role in a $3.6 million cocaine distribution ring was sentenced Wednesday to three to six years in state prison.
Kenneth Koonrad, 28, of Grove Street, was sentenced on charges of corrupt organizations, possession with intent to deliver and criminal use of a communication facility by county Judge Tina Polachek Gartley. Koonrad pleaded guilty to the charges in April 2010.The drug ring was busted when undercover agents on March 6, 2009, simultaneously raided the Outlaws Motorcycle Club clubhouse and a member’s home, as well as four other locations.
Investigators said they made about 30 controlled cocaine purchases from several members beginning in July 2008. Court papers also indicate Koonrad accompanied another member to a drug deal where they allegedly sold cocaine to a police informant.
WILKES-BARRE – A Shickshinny man convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in prison in the hatchet slaying of his ex-girlfriend filed court papers Wednesday stating why he is appealing his conviction and sentence to the state Superior Court.
John Stone, 59, was convicted at a September trial and sentenced in November to life in prison by Judge David Lupas.
Prosecutors say Stone used a 13-inch hatchet in the early morning hours of Oct. 24, 2010, to deliver 12 blows to Catherine Tabit, 37, of Kingston.
Stone said in court papers filed Wednesday he is appealing because a judge incorrectly threw out testimony from an expert witness that Stone did not premeditate the murder, allowed an expert to testify about blood spatter who had no available certifications and refused to instruct the jury on self-defense.
WILKES-BARRE – A woman accused of stealing more than $130,000 from her employer waived her right to a preliminary hearing in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on Wednesday.
Denise Zbierski, 35, of Cleveland Street, Plains Township, waived a single count of theft to Luzerne County Court.
City police withdrew a single count of tampering with records against Zbierski.
Police allege Zbierski stole $130,866 from MotorWorld Automotive Group from December 2010 through December, according to the criminal complaint.
Zbierski was employed at MotorWorld as a payroll administrator. She allegedly admitted to stealing the money due to credit card bills and a gambling addiction, the criminal complaint says.
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