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<p>WILKES-BARRE &#8212; A Luzerne County judge called a Plains Township man in court Wednesday on multiple drunken driving offenses &#8220;a clear and present danger to the community.&#8221;</p><p>John Thomas Tomshack, 53, of West Bergh Street, was scheduled to be sentenced as a habitual offender relating to three drunken driving offenses, two vehicle crashes and driving with a suspended license from August to February.</p><p>Judge Joseph F. Sklarosky Jr. continued the hearing until Tuesday as he said he wants to review if Tomshack is eligible for State Intermediate Punishment program, or SIP, a program designed for low-level offenders whose crimes were motivated by addiction. Those sentenced to SIP must serve two years with at least seven months served in a state prison.</p><p>During Wednesday&#8217;s proceeding, Tomshack&#8217;s attorney, Mark Hinrich, said his client clearly has an alcohol problem, with several drunken driving offenses occurring within a three week span.</p><p>&#8220;He wants help. He&#8217;s an excellent candidate for that (SIP) program,&#8221; Hinrich said.</p><p>Sklarosky noted Tomshack has had nine drunken driving offenses during his life. After one of the arrests, Sklarosky said he recalled releasing Tomshack on bail with instructions not to consume alcohol and to seek treatment.</p><p>&#8220;There were strict terms on bail that you violated,&#8221; Sklarosky said, noting Tomshack was arrested on a drunken offense after his release.</p><p>Tomshack acknowledged his alcohol addiction and fears he may end up seriously hurting or killing someone in a drunken crash.</p><p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t want that to happen,&#8221; Tomshack said. &#8220;I have a conscience when I&#8217;m sober.&#8221;</p><p>&#8220;I see you as a clear and present danger to the community,&#8221; Sklarosky told Tomshack. &#8220;It&#8217;s easy to want treatment when you&#8217;re facing a state facility. It&#8217;s easy to want help with shackles when you appear before the court.&#8221;</p><p>Sklarosky rescheduled Tomshack&#8217;s sentencing hearing for Tuesday. He remains in custody at the county correctional facility.</p><p><strong>List of offenses</strong></p><p>Here is a list of recent offenses against Tomshack, according to court records:</p><p>&#8226; Aug. 14, 2018: Plains Township police said Tomshack crashed a vehicle on First Street. Tomshack failed to report the crash. Police said Tomshack&#8217;s driver&#8217;s license was suspended. Pleaded guilty to being a habitual offender.</p><p>&#8226; Sept. 4, 2018: Wilkes-Barre police said Tomshack struck a parked vehicle in the 900 block of Scott Street. Witnesses reported Tomshack &#8220;smelled like beer&#8221; when he got out and staggered around the wreckage. Tomshack refused to submit to a blood alcohol test. Pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.</p><p>&#8226; Sept. 5, 2018: Plains Township police stopped Tomshack on East Main Street. Tomshack had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage and refused to submit to a blood alcohol test. Pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.</p><p>&#8226; Sept. 12, 2018: Wilkes-Barre police said Tomshack fled the scene after colliding with another vehicle at Scott and Mundy streets. Pleaded guilty to accidents involving damage to attended vehicle and driving with a suspended license.</p><p>&#8226; Jan. 13: State police stopped Tomshack on Kidder Street for driving a vehicle with an inoperable tail light. Tomshack had a strong odor of an alcoholic beverage. A breathalyzer revealed Tomshack&#8217;s alcohol level was .101 percent. Pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol.</p><p>&#8226; Jan. 28: Plains Township police said Tomshack fled the scene after crashing into a fence on Farrell Lane. Surveillance footage showed Tomshack being heavily intoxicated inside a tavern prior to the crash. Pleaded guilty to accidents to unattended vehicle or property.</p><p>&#8226; Feb. 1: Plains Township police aware Tomshack&#8217;s driver&#8217;s license was suspended stopped him on Route 315. A partially opened can of beer fell from Tomshack&#8217;s vehicle. Pleaded guilty to driving with a suspended license.</p><style>
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<div class="neCaption">Tomshack </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/web1_John-Tomshack-10092019.jpg</photo0><caption0>Tomshack </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>

Judge: Plains Twp. DUI defendant ‘a clear and present danger’