SUNBURY - A young Sunbury man arrested on felony drug offenses relating to a July 15 heroin transaction in Strong was sentenced Monday afternoon to serve 1 to 2 years in state prison after pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.
Joseph Patrick Rubendall Jr., 23, of 830 S. River Ave., who is already incarcerated at SCI-Mahanoy on a state parole detainer, was sentenced by Northumberland County Judge William H. Wiest via video after the defendant agreed to plead guilty to possession with intent to deliver heroin and possession with intent to deliver heroin, Clonazepam and Suboxone. Rubendall also must serve one year probation after his prison sentence.
Additional felonies of delivery of heroin, two counts of criminal conspiracy and criminal use of a communication center, and misdemeanors of possession of heroin, Clonazepam, Suboxone and raw bulk heroin and possession of drug paraphernalia were not prosecuted.
The defendant was represented by Northumberland County Conflicts Counsel John Broda. First Assistant District Attorney Ann Targonski prosecuted the case.
Rubendall and his girlfriend, Jordan Leigh Derck, 24, of 133 Academy St., Shamokin, were charged by then-Mount Carmel Sgt. Todd Owens and Patrolman Matthew Dillman, who are members of the Northumberland-Montour Drug Task Force, in connection with a July 15 incident outside Turkey Hill Minit Market in Strong. Owens is now the borough police chief.
According to a criminal complaint, Rubendall is accused of delivering 10 bags of heroin to a confidential informant for $170. The defendant also allegedly possessed 20 bags of heroin, six Clonazepam tablets, five Suboxone strips, raw bulk heroin, bags containing heroin and a prescription bottle containing heroin, Clonazepam and Suboxone.
Derck was charged with conspiring with Rubendall to deliver 10 bags of heroin, six Clonazepam tablets, five Suboxone strips and raw bulk heroin and possessing a cellophane bag containing 10 bags of heroin.
On Nov. 19, Derck pleaded guilty to one count of criminal conspiracy to deliver heroin and will be sentenced by Northumberland County Judge Charles H. Saylor within 90 days.