WEST SIDE CRIMINAL DAY - 05/13/08

Five cases marked a short day at 15-1-01's Criminal Day. Four of the cases were summary agreements while the 5th was an ARD waiver. Normally, there wouldn't be much to talk about under those circumstances, however, the cases did catch Unplugged's attention to say the least.

David F. Cleveland, 48, of West Chester, entered into a 60-day summary agreement in which he would agree to plead guilty to summary charges stemming from a March 22 altercation at the weekly dueling protests Uptown. Cleveland, a member of the Chester County Peace Movement, was charged with Failure to Disperse on Official Order and Disorderly Conduct after he allegedly disobeyed direct orders from Ofc. Jason O'Neill as a fellow peacenik protester, John Meicht, was taken into custody.

According to the Criminal Complaint, Cleveland "had followed (the officers) across High Street to the patrol vehicle" where Meicht was secured after being placed under arrest. Cleveland "was visibly agitated and approximately three feet away from (Ofc. O'Neill)" and was "yelling and screaming about the arrest of Meicht and waving his arm and pointing his finger."

Cleveland was ordered to get away from the officers and was reportedly growing "more agitated and aggressive." Eventually, he was placed under arrest, however not before allegedly "pushing off the vehicle with his body and resisting efforts to handcuff him."

Cleveland's case was continued until July 15 (15-1-01, CR-0000087-08).

Meicht, 62, of West Chester, was charged with Simple Assault, Resisting Arrest, REAP, Disorderly Conduct, and Harassment. A prelim in his case is scheduled for Friday at 15-1-04 (15-1-04, CR-0000101-08). It's not entirely clear as to why both cases were filed in different courts, though at least Meicht will be in front of a judge who is probably sympathetic to his cause...

The other three summary agreements were related to recent undercover investigations involving attempts to sell liquor to minors at two separate locations in the West End on March 19.

Melissa J. McGinnis, 22, and Justin Dougherty, 27, both employees of Kildare's on the 50 block of West Gay Street, were charged with Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor after allegedly selling alcohol to a cooperating individual who was under the legal drinking age of 21. Dimitros Alex Paffas, 27, of Broomall, Delaware County, was charged with Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor after he allegedly sold a six-pack of Miller Lite beer to a cooperating individual at Sam's Pizza Island on the 400 block of Hannum Avenue.

As part of the agreements, all three defendants were ordered to perform 25 hours of Community Service in West Chester and required to complete the Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) through the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board. Upon completion of the agreements, all three defendants would see the Furnishing Alcohol charges withdrawn and enter guilty pleas to summary charges.

McGinnis' hearing was continued to June 17 (15-1-01, CR-0000096-08); hearings for Dougherty (15-1-01, CR-0000094-08) and Paffas (15-1-01, CR-0000097-08) were continued to July 15...

And, finally, the woman who was arrested behind Landmark Americana was arraigned on drug charges. Charlique Brystol Boggs, 23, of Downingtown, was arraigned on a charge of Possession of a Controlled Substance after allegedly being found in possession of drugs while being arrested on an active bench warrant stemming from a probation violation. Boggs was re-committed to CCP in lieu of 10 percent of $5,000 bail. A prelim is scheduled for next Tuesday in front of Judge Bruno (15-1-01, CR-0000118-08).