Schuylkill County Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a Mahanoy City man with multiple warrants.
Joel Michael Kerestus, a 37-year-old man is wanted on seven active bench warrants stemming from multiple criminal cases.
Kerestus is described as standing 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs approximately 260 pounds. His last known address is 131 West Maple Street in Mahanoy City.
Authorities say Kerestus failed to report to the Schuylkill County Prison on January 30, 2025, to begin serving a court-ordered sentence issued by the Schuylkill County Court of Common Pleas.
That sentence followed convictions on three separate counts of Driving Under Suspension – DUI related, one count of Driving While Operating Privilege is Suspended or Revoked (summary offense), and one count of Accident Involving Damage to Attended Vehicle or Property, classified as a misdemeanor of the third degree.
In addition to failing to begin his sentence, Kerestus has missed multiple court appearances. He failed to appear for a preliminary hearing on January 14, 2025, related to a charge of Driving Under Suspension – DUI related (third or subsequent offense), a misdemeanor of the third degree. He also failed to appear for another preliminary hearing on March 6, 2025, for a charge of Fleeing or Attempting to Elude an Officer, a misdemeanor of the second degree.
The Schuylkill County District Attorney’s Office urges anyone with information about Kerestus’s whereabouts—or the whereabouts of any fugitive in the county—to contact their office at 570-628-1350. Tips can also be submitted through the Schuylkill County Tip Line at 570-624-3988.
All information will be kept confidential.