ALPENA — Paul Walchak, 58, was sentenced to nine months in jail and three years probation on charges of assaulting/resisting/obstructing police, assault with intent to do great bodily harm, and third-degree child abuse at the 26th Circuit Court in Alpena Monday.

Judge Donald McLennan presided.

Walchak’s legal representation, Attorney Rick Steiger, disputed some details of the case, saying that Walchak denied any “perverted behavior” which he had been accused of. He never touched anyone inappropriately other than holding down a child throwing a tantrum, the incident for which Walchak is charged with third-degree child abuse.

Steiger said that he has represented Walchak before and that he is responsible.

Walchak said he was sorry for disrupting the family of the child with his actions. He explained that the child was kicking and moving around and he did not want her to hurt herself, and so he held her down.

Judge McLennan said that Walchak’s statement was contrary to the police reports. He was not simply stopping a temper tantrum when he held the child down. McLennan called Walchak’s telling of events a “fairytale.”

Walchak was sentenced to nine months in jail with three years probation. He will not be allowed to enter a residence where anyone is under 17 years old during his probation period.

ALSO SEEN IN COURT

~ Lena Turske, 58, was sentenced to one year probation and 27 days in jail with credit for 27 days for possession of methamphetamine/ecstasy. A request for 7411 status was granted, which means Turske’s case will be dismissed and there will be no public record of the case upon successful completion of probation.

~ Anthony Stokes, 51, charged with domestic violence has a jury trial set for Aug. 20. Attorney Dennis Grenkowicz said there is still a possibility for a settlement to be made before the trial date. Stokes will next appear in court on July 21.

~ Brittany Tofil-Bates, 37, was arraigned for one count of possession of methamphetamine. Tofil-Bates missed her last four drug tests. McLennan ordered her to take a drug test in court. She could not create enough saliva for the test to produce results. McLennan remanded her to the custody of the sheriff and revoked her bond temporarily. She could be released from the sheriff by testing negative on a urine test. She will next be in court on Aug. 4.

~ Meghan Spigelmyre, 49, was arraigned for one count of possession of methamphetamine. She was also ordered to take a drug test in court and could not create enough saliva for the test to produce results. McLennan remanded her to the custody of the sheriff and revoked her bond temporarily. She could be released from the sheriff by testing negative on a urine test. She will next be in court on Aug. 4.

~ Penny Smeltzer, 41, was sentenced to 12 months probation on two counts of delivery/manufacture of controlled substances. Smeltzer has no prior criminal record. She told the judge that she will never be back.

~ Kilana Muszynski, 23, was sentenced to receive treatment for substance abuse and mental health at a facility out of state for probation violation. If she does not complete the program successfully, she will be sent back to jail. Her 7411 status will continue.

~ James Cooper, 50, who is charged with two counts of controlled substance delivery/manufacture of methamphetamine and one count of carrying a concealed weapon, had a status conference. His attorney, Bill Pfeifer, said there are outstanding discovery issues and needs more time with the case. Cooper will next be in court on Aug. 4.

~ Raychel Vega, 46, charged with one count of police officer assaulting/resisting/obstructing, will go to jury trial. A date will be set next time she appears in court.

Reagan Voetberg can be reached at 989-358-5683 or rvoetberg@TheAlpenaNews.com.