POCONO TOWNSHIP, PA – A 39-year-old New Jersey man who spent six days in Monroe County Prison on felony fraud charges after allegedly checking into Great Wolf Lodge with someone else’s credit card has had the serious charge withdrawn, with prosecutors moving forward only on a summary disorderly conduct offense.

Kevin W. Romano of Edgewater, New Jersey, saw his third-degree felony access device fraud charge withdrawn November 19 during a preliminary hearing before Magisterial District Judge Daniel Kresge. The remaining summary charge was transferred to a non-traffic docket.

The dramatic reduction in charges came after Romano posted $40,000 bail through a professional bondsman and retained private attorney Verina Meawad to represent him.

The Incident at Great Wolf Lodge

On November 7, 2025, around 9:00 p.m., Pocono Township Police were dispatched to Great Wolf Lodge for a report of fraud.

According to Officer Kylie L. Covert’s investigation, Romano checked into a hotel room using a name and credit card that did not belong to him. The investigation revealed that Romano was aware the name and credit card were not his but proceeded to check into the room anyway.

Romano was arrested at the scene and initially charged with:

• Access device is counterfeit, altered, or incomplete (third-degree felony)
• Disorderly conduct – unreasonable noise (summary offense)

Six Days in Custody

Romano was arraigned before Magisterial District Judge Phillip R. Riley on November 8, with bail set at $40,000. Unable to post bail immediately, Romano was held at Monroe County Correctional Facility.

He remained in custody from November 8 through November 14, when professional bondsman Dawn Hagerty posted the $40,000 surety bond securing his release.

Charges Withdrawn

At the November 19 preliminary hearing, prosecutors from the Monroe County District Attorney’s Office withdrew the felony fraud charge entirely. The disorderly conduct summary offense was moved to a non-traffic docket (MJ-43303-NT-0000349-2025).

The withdrawal of the felony charge represents a significant shift from the initial allegations. Third-degree felonies carry a maximum sentence of seven years in prison under Pennsylvania law.

Court records do not specify the reason for withdrawing the fraud charge, though such decisions typically result from evidentiary issues, witness availability problems, or determinations that the case does not warrant felony prosecution.

What Summary Charges Mean

By moving the disorderly conduct charge to a non-traffic docket, the case is now treated as a summary offense—the lowest level of criminal charge in Pennsylvania, similar to a traffic ticket.

Summary offenses typically result in fines rather than jail time and do not require a jury trial. The maximum penalty for disorderly conduct is 90 days in jail and a $300 fine, though jail time is uncommon for first-time summary offenses.

The Resort Connection

Great Wolf Lodge in Pocono Township is a popular family resort and water park that draws thousands of visitors annually to the Poconos region. The resort features over 400 guest rooms and a 79,000-square-foot indoor water park.

Hotel fraud cases occasionally occur at major resorts, with suspects using stolen or fraudulent credit cards to book rooms. Such cases often involve identity theft, stolen credit card information, or account takeover schemes.

Case Closed

The criminal case is now listed as closed in the magisterial district court system. Romano was represented by attorney Verina Meawad of Stroudsburg throughout the proceedings.

The case disposition means Romano will face only the summary disorderly conduct charge rather than a felony that could have resulted in years of prison time and a permanent criminal record.

Monroe County Criminal Case: MJ-43303-CR-0000356-2025
Non-Traffic Case: MJ-43303-NT-0000349-2025
Incident Number: 2025-00012082
OTN: J 1015685-6

All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.