web1_AAA-Mid-Atlantic.jpg

Average gas prices for July 17

web1_turnpike01.jpg

Drivers hit with $300,000 in penalties at E-ZPass-only exit

<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; Felony assault charges were withdrawn against a Berwick man who allegedly threatened a Luzerne County sheriff deputy and wanted &#8220;anarchy to start&#8221; to kill some white people.</p><p>Vincent Donnell Rodriguez, 37, of West Second Street, appeared for his preliminary hearing Friday before District Judge Martin Kane where prosecutors withdrew a second-degree felony count of aggravated assault and a first-degree charge of terroristic threats.</p><p>Prosecutors instead added a second-degree misdemeanor charge of simple assault at which Rodriguez waived to county court, including a second count of terroristic threats and disorderly conduct. He remains jailed at the county correctional facility for lack of $25,000 bail.</p><p>The proceeding was held at the county courthouse.</p><p>According to the criminal complaint:</p><p>Rodriguez was inside courtroom seven on the third floor of the county courthouse on May 4 when a judge ordered him jailed on unrelated assault charges.</p><p>A sheriff deputy called for shackles to be placed on Rodriguez.</p><p>As another sheriff deputy was approaching the small courtroom, the deputy inside the courtroom called for assistance when Rodriguez began shouting, &#8220;The first one to touch me is getting dropped,&#8221; the complaint says.</p><p>Sheriff deputies ordered the courtroom to be vacated, including the judge.</p><p>A deputy displayed a Taser as Rodriguez said in response, &#8220;That ain&#8217;t gonna do nothing to me,&#8221; according to the complaint.</p><p>Shackles were placed on Rodriguez&#8217;s wrists and ankles.</p><p>Rodriguez was led to the elevator and ordered to face the back elevator wall. As he entered the elevator, Rodriguez turned to the front and had to be held back.</p><p>While Rodriguez was being transported to the county correctional facility, the complaint alleges he made several statements including, &#8220;I can&#8217;t wait for the anarchy to start so I can go kill some white people,&#8221; the complaint says.</p><p>Court records indicate Rodriguez was in court on May 4 on simple assault and reckless endangerment charges in connection to jumping out of a vehicle and assaulting several people who told him to slow down on Main Street in Salem Township on June 28, 2014.</p><p>Rodriguez&#8217;s case for the June 2014 alleged offense remains open.</p><p>Prosecutors are expected to combine the separate cases as they proceed through the court, records indicate.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Vincent-Rodriguez-5-7-15.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Rodriguez </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/web1_Vincent-Rodriguez-5-7-15.jpg</photo0><caption0>Rodriguez </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Ed Lewis at 570-991-6116 or on Twitter @TLEdLewis</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Felony assault charges withdrawn against Berwick man who wanted “anarchy”