Published August 30. 2023 11:26AM
A Schuylkill County district judge dropped kidnapping and related charges against a 19-year-old Tamaqua man after no witnesses showed up to testify at a preliminary hearing Tuesday.
Derek M. DeAngelo sat quietly in District Judge Andrew J. Serina’s courtroom, along with his parents, his lawyer, Joseph P. Nahas, First Assistant District Attorney Michael J. Stine, and Schuylkill Haven state trooper Nathaniel C. Edmonds as the minutes ticked by.
After waiting for almost an hour, Judge Serina dismissed the charges.
DeAngelo did, however, agree to admit that he had driven under the influence of alcohol on April 3.
DeAngelo was accused of keeping a woman against her will on April 3 until she ran away from him and into a parking lot at Leiby’s restaurant on routes 309 and 443. Police then took DeAngelo into custody at the site.
DeAngelo had faced unlawful restraint/serious bodily injury; two counts of simple assault; recklessly endangering another person; driving under the influence/unsafe driving; harassment; and kidnapping.
He has remained free under $100,000 cash bail.