Half-brothers could be reunited again in prison

WILKES-BARRE — Luzerne County President Judge Michael T. Vough issued a bench warrant for Drake Partington on allegations he failed to appear for a court proceeding Monday on simple assault charges.

Drake Partington, 22, had his identity used by his half-brother, Billy Partington, 30, to be released from the county correctional facility on Jan. 26, according to court records.

Hanover Township police arrested Drake Partington after investigating a fight inside his ex-girlfriend’s apartment at Hanover Village on Jan. 23, court records say.

After his arrest, Drake Partington was jailed at the county correctional facility for lack of $75,000 bail.

When bail was posted for Drake Partington, his half-brother Billy Partington misrepresented himself as “Drake,” and never corrected corrections’ officers when his picture was compared to Drake Partington during the inmate release procedure, court records say.

Drake Partington was eventually released on bail despite the mistaken release of Billy Partington, who was captured by Wilkes-Barre police on Jan. 31.

Drake Partington was scheduled Monday to appear before Vough on three counts of simple assault and a single count of harassment for the alleged fight in Hanover Township. When he failed to show, Vough issued a bench warrant, also called a capias warrant.

If apprehended, Drake Partington will likely be jailed at the county correctional facility and held for a court proceeding commonly called “lift warrant” hearings.

As for Billy Partington, who remains jailed, he pled guilty to escape and is scheduled to be sentenced July 31 by Judge David W. Lupas.