A Port Royal man charged in connection with two Juniata County robberies waived his formal arraignment on separate charges in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas on Wednesday.
According to court documents, Dustin J. Swartz, 20, is charged with one count each of robbery and theft, stemming from his alleged involvement in the Nov. 12, 2004, robbery of a Uni Mart store located on Path Valley Road in Spring Run. Those charges were filed by Pennsylvania State Police Chambersburg.
Documents indicate Swartz is accused of holding up the store at gunpoint, stealing $212 from the cash register and $20 from a patron in the store. The victims described the robber as a young white male with blue eyes, wearing a T-shirt over his head, documents state.
Court papers also indicate Pennsylvania State Police Lewistown say they have a confession on record from Swartz, admitting he held up the Uni Mart with a toy gun. PSP Lewistown are investigating Swartz’s alleged involvement in two Juniata County robberies; the Mifflintown Weis Market on Nov. 24, 2004, and the 1st National Bank of Mifflintown, East Waterford Branch on Oct. 19, 2004.
“Mr. Swartz waived the arraignment, and the court will enter a not guilty plea on his behalf,” said Justin McShane, Swartz’s defense attorney.
“Mr. Swartz has asked me to request a trial by jury in the case.”
Franklin County District Attorney John Nelson was not available for comment. A representative from Nelson’s office said Swartz is scheduled to make a pre-trial appearance in court on April 22. Depending on possible motions filed by the defense or the prosecution, Swartz’s trial for this case could begin in May, the representative said.
“I have received several dozen letters voicing unanimous support for Dustin as a person,” McShane said. ” All of these letters assert that the writer has personal familiarity with Dustin over many years.”
“These letters universally profess that these actions are truly aberrant behavior from the boy they knew and the young man they thought he had become.” McShane added.
Swartz remains in the Juniata County Prison in lieu of $600,000 combined bail from the Weis Market and bank robbery charges. McShane said he has filed a motion for bail modification with the Juniata County Court. That motion is now being considered by Judge Kathy A. Morrow, with a tentative hearing date of March 15.
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