web1_George.jpg

Wilkes-Barre mayoral candidate George granted more time to correct ‘obvious mistakes’ in campaign finance forms

web1_gary_machinshok.jpg

Child rapist from Wilkes-Barre requests reconsideration of prison sentence

WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A Jenkins Township man convicted of sexually assaulting a child now will spend a little less time in prison.Clyde Earl Tonkin, 32, was resentenced Monday to serve 16 to 32 years in state prison, according to court papers, a decrease from his original sentence of 18 to 36 years.Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr. vacated his earlier sentence and then resentenced Tonkin on one count each of aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault and indecent assault, as well as three counts of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, court documents indicate.Sklarosky credited the man for 732 days already spent behind bars.A jury convicted Tonkin of the charges in April 2013 after a one day trial, finding him guilty of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl two years prior.The girl became pregnant as a result of the assaults, and gave birth to a baby girl.Tonkin&#8217;s trial was held despite his absence after he cut off an electronic ankle bracelet he was required to wear as a condition of bail and fled the area. He was captured three days after his trial.<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta>By James O&#8217;Malleyjomalley@www.timesleader.com</bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta>Reach James O&#8217;Malley at 570-991-6390 or on Twitter @TL_omalley.</shirttailMeta></div>

Sentence reduced for Jenkins Twp. man convicted in 2011 child sex assault