Jail Inmate’s Parole Revoked
A convicted local drug dealer hopes his jail sentence will be moved to a State penitentiary to “better himself” for the future.
An Armstrong County Jail inmate had his probation and parole revoked Friday afternoon.
Wilfredo Soto, who will turn 25 years old the day after Christmas, failed to maintain a scheduled payment plan, failed to tell his probation officer about using a controlled substance while on probation and failed to complete community service according to Armstrong County Adult Probation Officer Tyler Kalnik.
Earlier this month, Soto – of Kittanning – also plead guilty to failing to verify his address or be photographed under State Megan’s Law requirements. He was sentenced by President Judge Kenneth Valasek to serve between two and four years in the Armstrong County Jail, but Soto hopes that confinement be relocated to a State penitentiary.
He thought the relocation would help “better himself” due to more opportunities at the State facility, he told Judge James Panchik last week.
“It can help me become more of a productive citizen,” Soto testified.
Judge Panchik remanded Soto to the Armstrong County Jail in Rayburn Township while paperwork is being filed.
In early 2014, Soto was arrested by ARMNET (Armstrong County Narcotics Task Force) agents after agents conducted a controlled purchase of heroin from Soto, Jr. along Johnston Avenue in Kittanning. Agents learned of an additional warrant in Westmoreland County calling for his arrest after their operation.
At the time of Soto, Jr’s arrest, he was found in possession of several hundred stamp bags of suspected heroin and several thousand dollars, including funds used in the controlled purchase by ARMNET agents thanks to assistance from a confidential informant.
“Being in jail got me away from drugs, the people around me that were a bad influence,” Soto testified.
Soto originally wanted to represent himself in court, but Judge Panchik “strongly encouraged” him to apply for a public defender.
Armstrong County Court House | KP NewsDesk December 22, 2015
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