Crime & Courts

December 2, 2009

court briefs

WILKES-BARRE – A New York man was sentenced Monday to two to four years in state prison on drug-related charges for selling crack cocaine and concealing it in his underwear.

Romell Brian Nellis, 29, formerly of Massapequa, N.Y., was sentenced on one count of possession with intent to deliver by Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge David Lupas.

Lupas said Nellis will receive 261 days credit for time already served.

Nellis originally pleaded not guilty to the charge at a June arraignment, and entered a guilty plea in county court in September.

According to court records, on March 14, police said they intercepted a phone call in which Nellis arranged to sell crack cocaine for $90.

Nellis, also known as “Dollar Bill,” told the caller to meet him near the South Main Plaza in Wilkes-Barre and that he’d be wearing a purple jacket.

Police took Nellis into custody and found an off-white chalk substance hidden in his underwear. Police also found Nellis in possession of $252 and three cell phones.

Police said that at the time Nellis was wanted in New York for a probation violation.

WILKES-BARRE – A man charged with attempting to return stolen batteries at a home improvement store for a refund waived his right to a preliminary hearing in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on Tuesday.

Gerald Wolfe, 28, of Westminister Street, Wilkes-Barre, waived a single count of retail theft to Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.

Police withdrew three counts of theft against Wolfe.

Police allege Wolfe entered The Home Depot and removed two battery packs that he attempted to return for a refund on Sept. 25, according to the criminal complaint.

WILKES-BARRE – Two women charged by city police with entering a vacant home waived their rights to a preliminary hearing in Wilkes-Barre Central Court on Tuesday.

Jiaccone A. Rudolph 34, of Hanover Township, and Diana M. Garrison, 29, of Wilkes-Barre, each waived criminal trespass charges to Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas.

Police withdrew a second count of criminal trespass against the two women.

Police said Rudolph and Garrison entered a vacant home on Elizabeth Street on Oct. 28. Rudolph was found hiding under a blanket and Garrison was found hiding in a closet, according to the criminal complaints.

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