A man who admitted to jumping up and down on 20-foot-tall railroad crossing signal arm while shirtless and drunk this past June has been sentenced to home arrest, authorities said.
Vernon police arrested a man this past July for vandalizing a railroad crossing.VERNON-- A man who admitted to jumping up and down on 20-foot-tall railroad crossing signal arm while shirtless and drunk this past June has been sentenced to home arrest, authorities said.
Salvatore Varon, 49, of Vernon, was sentenced to 90 days in a home detention program and two years probation on the condition he obtain both mental health and drug evaluations and follow all recommendations, the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office said.
Varon pleaded guilty this past October to fourth-degree vandalizing a railroad crossing. He admitted that he was intoxicated when he climbed on to a Vernon railroad crossing light, jumping up and down on the post causing the lights to bounce.
Man admits to messing with railroad tracks while intoxicated
At the time of his arrest, police said Varon appeared to be trying to interfere with the train line -- having placed discarded railroad ties and rocks onto the railroad -- but officers took note of what seemed like a strong odor of alcohol on his breath.
Varon was previously charged with interfering with transportation, vandalizing a railroad crossing and trespassing.
No train came into contact with the railroad ties or rocks, police said.
Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
