Shappell violates parole...back to prison...
by News Department on 06/23/15
On Monday, Robert D. Schappell went from a free man to a prison cell for allegedly violating both his bail conditions and a plea agreement with prosecutors.
Judge Jacqueline L. Russell ruled Schappell had violated his bail conditions by contacting one of his alleged victims, contact the defendant admitted had occurred.
Assistant District Attorney Debra A. Smith then withdrew the plea offer prosecutors had made to Schappell, which called for him to serve nine to 18 months behind bars and make full restitution. Schappell had provided no documentation that any restitution had been paid or of any agreements he had for any work he would do to earn more money.
Schappell then withdrew his guilty plea; Russell ordered him imprisoned for violating his bail conditions and directed that his case be returned to the trial list. The next time he could go to trial is during the August criminal court term.
Schuylkill Haven borough police charged Schappell, formerly of Deer Lake, with taking $202,500 from Bruce Stidham, owner of Bruce’s Auto Mall in the borough, in exchange for Corvettes and other vehicles. Schappell neither provided Stidham with any vehicles, nor did he refund any money to him, police said.
