SUNBURY - The sentencing of a 52-year-old Mount Carmel man accused of punching a borough policeman in the chest in December was continued Monday afternoon when the defendant's prior criminal record score couldn't be confirmed.
Craig Gene Lambert, of 325 N. Vine St., Mount Carmel, who remains incarcerated at Northumberland County Prison, was ready to be sentenced by Judge Charles Saylor, but the proceeding was continued until March 8 when the defendant's prior criminal record score couldn't be verified.
Lambert pleaded guilty Sept. 26 to simple assault, resisting arrest and driving under the influence in connection with a Dec. 20 disturbance in the 200 block of East Fifth Street in Mount Carmel. An additional charge of aggravated assault filed by Patrolman David Donkochik will not be prosecuted at the time of sentencing in accordance with the plea agreement.
According to court documents, police found Lambert passed out in his running vehicle and was taken into custody. At the police station, police said Lambert began making derogatory remarks and obscene gestures. When he was advised that he was going to prison on a probation violation, Lambert became more verbally abusive and punched Donkochik in the chest and chin when the officer tried to place a transport belt on him, police said. Police had to restrain Lambert before he was placed in handcuffs for transport.
Lambert's attorney, E.J. Rymza of Williamsport, and Assistant District Attorney Ann Targonski were ready to proceed with sentencing before a question arose by Lambert's prior criminal record score, which Rymza claimed was 5.
The defense attorney told the judge his client had a prior criminal record including out-of-state offenses that date back to the 1980s. Rymza said the standard sentencing range for the offenses Lambert pleaded guilty to was 6 to 16 months in county prison.
But when Targonski and a probation officer questioned Lambert's prior criminal record score, the judge continued the sentencing until a definite determination could be made.