Lehigh man gets jail time for Jim Thorpe drug sale

One of four Allentown individuals, involved in a drug sale in Jim Thorpe earlier this year that included a car chase and manhunt, was sentenced to a county prison term on Tuesday in Carbon County court.

Ivan Reyes, 18, was sentenced by President Judge Roger N. Nanovic II to serve six to 23 months in the county prison on charge of criminal conspiracy-possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance.

Reyes was arrested on March 25 after he and three others arrived in Jim Thorpe, in a 1991 Honda, to allegedly make a drug deal. Reyes was the driver and owner of the Honda.

Arrested with Reyes were Jose Martinez, 18, Christian Ortiz, 18, and Carlos Gonzales, 22. The cases involving the three other suspects are pending in the county court.

On the day of the incident, according to the affidavits of probable cause filed by borough police, Gonzales and Ortiz exited the vehicle while Martinez and Reyes stayed inside. The two approached a confidential informant who gave Gonzales $400 to purchase heroin.

After the purchase, and as police moved in to make an arrest, the four fled. Reyes drove off in the car and, according to police, almost hit Officer Lee Marzen, who had to jump out of the way of the vehicle to avoid injury. After a short chase, Reyes abandoned the car and ran of foot but was apprehended.

Following a manhunt of several hours all four were taken into custody.

Reyes said he never tried to run over the police officer but admitted fleeing in the car. He claimed he didn't know Marsen was a police officer because he was wearing dark clothing.

Nanovic said that Reyes was given a break in a plea bargain he reached with the district attorney's office because of his cooperation with authorities after the arrest and that it was his first adult offense.

Reyes said he was adhere of what was going on but claimed he was not going to benefit from the sale. He also admitted smoking marijuana prior to the incident.

Nanovic told Reyes, "This is a serious offense we're dealing with. Heroin is a very addictive drug."

Police found 61 baggies of heroin.

Nanovic also ordered Reyes to supply a DNA sample and pay the $250 fee, get both drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations and follow any recommendations for treatment, get his General Education Diploma (GED), zero tolerance or drug or alcohol use, and have no contact with his co-defendants. Must also pay a $50 per month supervision fee.

He was given credit for 29 days spent in jail on the charge and began the jail term immediately.