Eckstine, Alegado Plead Guilty in Domestic Case

Former Spring-Ford band director John Eckstine plead guilty on Monday to three counts of recklessly endangering other persons in connection with a May incident that caused him to resign from his job, reports the Pottstown Mercury.

Eckstine was sentenced to 4 years' probation and 60 hours of community service.

Jacqueline M. Alegado of Limerick, who was also arrested in relation to the incident, plead guilty and was sentenced to 5 years' probation and 36 hours of community service. 

Alegado was also ordered to write letters of apology to emergency medical technicians and to the driver of another car she struck. 

The two were additionally ordered to have no contact with each other. 

Eckstine resigned on May 4, 2012 following his arrest on these charges, which police called a "rolling domestic" incident. Eckstine and Alegado were weaving in and out of traffic on Route 422 before exiting 422, and Alegado then hit another vehicle on High Street in Lower Pottsgrove.

When a Lower Pottsgrove police officer arrived, he observed Eckstine had scratches on his neck. Witnesses told police that Eckstine appeared to be chasing Alegado in his car. Earlier in the evening, police had had to separate the pair as they were arguing on Route 422.

Eckstine told police that Alegado had keyed his car and tried to punch him with her car keys. Alegado reported that Eckstine had pushed her down and injured her knee.

Eckstine was originally charged with stalking, disorderly conduct, reckless endangerment, and other charges. Four charges were dismissed earlier this year, and all but the three reckless endangerment charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement.

Alegado was charged with harrassment, felony aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and related charges. 

She was also charged with ethnic intimidation after struggling with EMTs who responded to the scene after Alegado allegedly claimed she was suffering from seizures. She reportedly fought with the EMTs, called one a racial slur and spit on the other.

Alegado's plea agreement included dismissal of charges of assault, false reports, disorderly conduct, harassment and careless driving.