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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A Nanticoke man was scheduled to be sentenced Monday on charges he had a sexual relationship with a minor and conspired to steal items from a Turkey Hill store.</p><p>Only one sentence was imposed.</p><p>Luzerne County Judge Michael T. Vough gave Dylan Charles Monelli, 22, of South Hanover Street, two weeks to file a motion requesting to withdraw his guilty plea to statutory sexual assault.</p><p>Monelli was charged by Nanticoke police with having sexual encounters with a 15-year-old girl from June 2017 until December 2017. Monelli claimed the sexual encounters were consensual and the relationship ended when the minor&#8217;s parents found out, court records say.</p><p>Police also charged Monelli with conspiring with a 17-year-old boy and a 19-year-old girl to steal items from the Turkey Hill on West Main Street, Nanticoke, on May 4. Monelli told the store clerk they would return in one hour to steal cigarettes and other items, and told the clerk to walk to the back of the store, court records say.</p><p>After Monelli and the two others left, an officer entered the Turkey Hill and was told about the forthcoming theft.</p><p>The officer waited nearby and caught Monelli in a Jeep that had pulled into the store&#8217;s lot, court records say.</p><p>Monelli on Oct. 15 pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit theft and statutory sexual assault.</p><p>At Monday&#8217;s sentencing hearing, Monelli&#8217;s attorney, Joseph Sklarosky Sr., informed Vough that Monelli claims his innocence on the sexual assault charge.</p><p>Assistant District Attorney Cara Solimine said Monelli can file a motion requesting to withdraw his guilty plea.</p><p>Vough gave Sklarosky until Jan. 4 to file a motion.</p><p>If Vough permits Monelli to withdraw his guilty plea, Monelli will also face a corruption of minors charge, which was withdrawn Oct. 15.</p><p>As for the Turkey Hill case, Vough sentenced Monelli to one-year probation and 50 hours of community service.</p><p>Charges against the 19-year-old girl who was allegedly involved in the Turkey Hill plan were withdrawn by prosecutors Aug. 21, court records say.</p><p>The 17-year-old boy was petitioned to juvenile court.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Monelli </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/web1_monelli.jpg</photo0><caption0>Monelli </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Nanticoke man may withdraw guilty plea for sexual assault