SUNBURY - A Northumberland County judge ruled Thursday that a New York man locked up on felony gun and drug charges would be a potential flight risk and a danger to the community if he were released.
Judge Charles H. Saylor ruled from the bench in turning down Esteven Soto's request to be released on nominal bail, usually $1. Soto, 30, of 1752 Walton Ave., 6A, Bronx, remains held on $250,000 bail at Montour County Prison, Danville.
Saylor considered Soto's past felony convictions on gun and drug charges, entered into exhibit by the district attorney's office. William Cole, assistant district attorney, added that Soto would be brought to trial in January.
Soto's own housing arrangements hindered his case. He told the court that he would live with his sister, Jazmin
Hernandez, of Milton. But Hernandez had a relationship with Soto's co-defendant, Rafael Diroche, at the time of their arrest in Mount Carmel on Feb. 8 stemming from the attempted homicide investigation into the shooting of 21-year-old Salicia Yost of Milton.
They were taken into custody following the search of a vehicle and a Mount Carmel apartment where they were staying. Cocaine, heroin and firearms were recovered by police. Neither man is charged in the shooting, and nor is anyone else.
Soto has been held since Feb. 9, 264 calendar days, on three felony counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, one felony count of illegally possessing a firearm, and three misdemeanor counts of possession of controlled substances.
He sought release on the state's Rule 600, which says a defendant held on bail must be brought to trial within 180 days or be released on nominal bail.
Diroche, 29, of 250 S. Poplar St., Apt. 3, Mount Carmel, has also filed a motion for release on nominal bail, citing Rule 600. A bail hearing is scheduled for Nov. 19.
He is held in the Northumberland County Prison on $300,000 bail on six counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, six counts of illegal possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm without a license, receiving stolen property and criminal use of a communication facility, all of which are felonies. Diroche is also charged with misdemeanors of possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.