Bride admits causing disturbance at hospital
A Northampton County woman admitted in Carbon County court on Thursday to causing a disturbance at a hospital on her wedding day.
She was one of four defendants in pending cases to enter a guilty plea before Judge Steven R. Serfass.Lehighton incidentJessica Schmidt-Ahart, 23, of Easton, pleaded to one count of persistent disorderly conduct.She was arrested on May 6 when Lehighton police were called to the Blue Mountain Health System's Gnaden Huetten campus hospital for an out-of-control woman.On scene, officers found Ahart causing a disturbance in the emergency room area. She was screaming at hospital personnel and police and was told repeatedly to cease and desist.Ahart told Serfass she was intoxicated at the time. She said she had gotten married earlier in the day and was celebrating. She originally came to the hospital for treatment for a cut on her arm.Serfass placed her on probation for a year and ordered her to get a drug and alcohol evaluation and follow any recommendation for treatment, and render 50 hours of community service.Other pleasOther defendants entering pleas included:James Elmer Berger Jr., 56, of Jim Thorpe, pleaded to one count of persistent disorderly conduct.He was arrested by Jim Thorpe police on Feb. 22 when officers responded to an area along Maple Shade Drive for a disturbance. On scene, officers found Berger causing a disturbance and placed him under arrest.The police report states when Berger was placed in the police cruiser he made threats to the officers.Berger said the incident was out of character for him. He told the officer at the preliminary hearing in the case that he was sorry for his actions.Serfass placed him on probation for a year and ordered he render 50 hours of community service.Zachiry D. Kerschner, 21, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on May 12, 2014, by Mahoning Township police, who made contact with him during the investigation of another matter.A check revealed he had drug paraphernalia on his person.Serfass placed him on probation for a year and ordered he get a D&A evaluation, and render 50 hours of community service.Damian Smith, 22, of Lehighton, pleaded to one count of possession of drug paraphernalia. He was arrested on Sept. 14, 2012, in the area of Main Lane by Lehighton police.Police responded to the area for a reported underage drinking party. Smith was at the scene and found with the paraphernalia.He was placed on probation for a year and ordered to get a D&A evaluation and render 50 hours of community service.Each defendant must also pay court costs of about $1,000, and a $50 per month supervision fee while on probation or parole.